2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU trunk release

The high-beam headlamps, parking lamps, and
back-up lamps may come on each time
Kis pressed.
See “EXT (Exterior) LIGHTS” underDIC Vehicle
Personalization on page 3-50for additional information.
Pressing
Kon the RKE transmitter disarms the content
theft-deterrent system. SeeContent Theft-Deterrent on
page 2-18.
V(Remote Trunk Release):Press and hold for
about one second to unlock the trunk. The trunk can be
opened with the transmitter when the vehicle speed
is less than 2 mph (3 km/h) or when the ignition is off.
L(Vehicle Locator/Panic Alarm):Press and release
to locate the vehicle. The horn sounds three times
and the headlamps and turn signals ash three times.
Press and hold
Lfor about three seconds to initiate
the panic alarm. The horn sounds and the headlamps
and turn signals ash for 30 seconds. Press
Lagain
to cancel the panic alarm.
Programming Transmitters to the
Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmed to the vehicle
will work. If a transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement
can be purchased and programmed through your
dealer/retailer. When the replacement transmitter is
programmed to the vehicle, all remaining transmitters
must also be programmed. Any lost or stolen transmitters
no longer work once the new transmitter is programmed.
Each vehicle can have up to four transmitters
programmed to it.
Battery Replacement
Replace the battery if the KEY FOB BATT (Battery)
LOW message displays in the DIC. See “KEY FOB BATT
(Battery) LOW” underDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-46for additional information.
Notice:When replacing the battery, do not touch
any of the circuitry on the transmitter. Static
from your body could damage the transmitter.
2-6

Rear Door Security Locks
The vehicle has rear door security locks to prevent
passengers from opening the rear doors from the inside.
Open the rear doors to
access the security locks
on the inside edge of
each door.
To set the locks, insert a key into the slot and turn it to
the horizontal position. The door can only be opened from
the outside with the door unlocked. To return the door to
normal operation, turn the slot to the vertical position.
Lockout Protection
If you press the power door lock switch when the key is
in the ignition and any door is open, all the doors will lock
and then the driver’s door will unlock. Be sure to remove
the key from the ignition when locking your vehicle.
If the remote keyless entry transmitter is used to lock
the doors while the key is in the ignition, a chime
will sound three times. All doors will then lock.
Trunk
Press the trunk release button on the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter for one second to open the
trunk from the outside.
{CAUTION:
Exhaust gases can enter the vehicle if it is driven
with the liftgate, trunk/hatch open, or with any
objects that pass through the seal between the
body and the trunk/hatch or liftgate. Engine exhaust
contains Carbon Monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause unconsciousness
and even death.
CAUTION: (Continued)
2-12

CAUTION: (Continued)
If the vehicle must be driven with the liftgate, or
trunk/hatch open:
Close all of the windows.
Fully open the air outlets on or under the
instrument panel.
Adjust the Climate Control system to a setting
that brings in only outside air and set the fan
speed to the highest setting. See Climate
Control System in the Index.
If the vehicle is equipped with a power liftgate,
disable the power liftgate function.
For more information about carbon monoxide, see
Engine Exhaust on page 2-35.
Remote Trunk Release
Press the button located
on the driver door near
the map pocket to open
the trunk.
The trunk can only be opened while the vehicle is in
P (Park) or when the ignition is off.
2-13

Trunk Assist Handle
There is an assist handle
located on the inside of
the trunk.
Use the assist handle to lower the trunk lid. The TRUNK
AJAR message will appear if the trunk is not properly
closed. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-46
for more information.
Notice:Using the trunk assist handle as a tie-down
or anchor point when securing items in the trunk
may damage it. Use the trunk assist handle only to
help you close the trunk lid.
Emergency Trunk Release Handle
Notice:Do not use the emergency trunk release
handle as a tie-down or anchor point when securing
items in the trunk as it could damage the handle.
The emergency trunk release handle is only intended
to aid a person trapped in a latched trunk, enabling
them to open the trunk from the inside.
There is a glow-in-the-dark emergency trunk release
handle located inside the trunk on the trunk latch.
This handle glows following exposure to light. Pull the
release handle up to open the trunk from the inside.
2-14

Battery Run-Down Protection
The vehicle has a battery run-down protection feature
designed to protect the 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 (RKE) 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 LOCK/OFF.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
Accessory power outlets can be used to connect auxiliary
electrical equipment, such as a cellular telephone.
There are two accessory power outlets. One accessory
power outlet is located inside the storage bin below the
climate controls and the other outlet is on the rear of the
center storage console.
To use an outlet, lift the protective cap. When not in use,
always cover the outlet with the protective cap. The
accessory power outlet is operational at all times.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment plugged in for
an extended period of time while the vehicle is off
will drain the battery. Power is always supplied
to the outlets. Always unplug electrical equipment
when not in use and do not plug in equipment
that exceeds the maximum 20 ampere rating.
Certain electrical accessories may not be compatible with
the accessory power outlet and could result in blown
vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience a problem,
see your dealer/retailer for additional information on the
accessory power outlet.
3-18

TRACTION OFF
If your vehicle has the Traction Control System (TCS),
this message displays and the ESC/TCS light on the
instrument panel cluster comes on solid when the system
is turned off. Adjust your driving accordingly. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-8andElectronic
Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS)
Indicator/Warning Light on page 3-35for more
information.
TRUNK AJAR
This message displays when the trunk is not closed
completely. Make sure that the trunk is closed
completely. SeeTrunk on page 2-12for more
information.
DIC Vehicle Personalization
Your vehicle has personalization capabilities that allow
you to program certain features to a preferred setting.
All of the features listed may not be available on your
vehicle. Only the features available will be displayed on
the DIC.
The default settings for the features were set when your
vehicle left the factory, but may have been changed from
their default state since that time.To change feature settings, use the following procedure:
Entering Personalization Menu
1. Turn the ignition on while the vehicle is stopped.
To avoid excessive drain on the battery, it is
recommended that the headlamps are turned off.
2. Press and hold the information and reset buttons at
the same time for one second, then release to enter
the personalization menu.
If the vehicle speed is greater than 2 mph (3 km/h),
only the UNITS menu will be accessible.
3. Press the information button to scroll through the
available personalization menu modes.
Press the reset button to scroll through the available
settings for each mode.
If you do not make a selection within ten seconds,
the display will go back to the previous information
displayed.
3-50

LIGHT FLASH
This feature, which allows the vehicle’s exterior hazard/
turn signal lighting to ash every time the lock, unlock, or
trunk release buttons on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter are pressed, can be enabled or disabled.
When LIGHT FLASH appears on the display, press and
hold the reset button for at least one second to scroll
through the available settings:
OFF:The exterior hazard/turn signal lighting will not
ash when the lock, unlock, or trunk release buttons on
the RKE transmitter are pressed.
ON (default):The exterior hazard/turn signal lighting
will ash when the lock, unlock, or trunk release buttons
on the RKE transmitter are pressed.
SeeRemote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation on
page 2-5for more information.
To select a setting and move on to the next feature,
press the information button while the desired setting is
displayed on the DIC.
DELAY LOCK
This feature, which delays the actual locking of the
vehicle, can be enabled or disabled. When DELAY
LOCK appears on the display, press and hold the reset
button for at least one second to scroll through the
available settings:
ON (default):The doors will not lock until ve seconds
after the last door is closed. You can temporarily override
delayed locking by pressing the power lock switch or
the lock button on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter a second time.
OFF:The doors will lock immediately when pressing
the power lock switch or the lock button on the
RKE transmitter.
SeePower Door Locks on page 2-10,Delayed Locking
on page 2-11, andRemote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 2-5for more information.
To select a setting and move on to the next feature,
press the information button while the desired setting is
displayed on the DIC.
3-53

Taillamps, Turn Signal, and
Stoplamps
A. Backup Lamp
B. Stoplamp, Taillamp and Turn Signal Lamp
1. Open the trunk. SeeTrunk on page 2-12for more
information.
2. Remove the convenience net hooks holding the
trunk trim.3. Remove the three wing nuts, which hold the
taillamp assembly, from inside the vehicle.
4. Remove the taillamp assembly.
5. Remove the wiring harness from the taillamp
assembly by lifting the release tab.
6. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to remove it.
7. Pull the bulb from the socket.
8. Install a new bulb.
9. Reverse Steps 2 through 5 to reinstall the taillamp
assembly.
5-48