2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU Owners Manual

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls 8-1
Climate Controls
Climate Control Systems
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Automatic Climate ControlSystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5
Air Vents
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Climate Control Systems
The heating, cooling and ventilation for the vehicle can be controlled with
this system.
A. Fan Control
B. Recirculation
C. Temperature Control
D. Outside Air E. Air Delivery Mode Control
F. Air Conditioning
G. Rear Window Defogger

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011
8-2 Climate Controls
Operation
Temperature Control:Turn
clockwise or counterclockwise
to increase or decrease the
temperature inside the vehicle.
When it is cold outside −18°C (0°F)
or lower, use the engine coolant
heater, if vehicle has one, to provide
warmer air faster to the vehicle. An
engine coolant heater warms the
coolant the engine uses that
provides heat to warm the inside of
the vehicle. For more information,
see Engine Heater on page 9‑21.
9(Fan Control): Turn clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase
or decrease the fan speed. The
fan must be on to run the
air-conditioning compressor.
Air Delivery Mode Control: Turn
clockwise or counterclockwise to
change the current airflow mode. Select from the following:
H(Vent):
Air is directed to
the instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level): Air is divided
between the instrument panel and
floor outlets. Some air will be
directed toward the side windows.
6(Floor): Air is directed to the
floor outlets with some air directed
to the windshield and side window
outlets.
-(Defog): This mode clears the
windows of fog or moisture. Air is
directed to the windshield and floor
outlets, with some air directed to the
side windows. When this mode is
selected, the system automatically
turns off recirculation and runs the
air-conditioning compressor unless
the outside temperature is at or
below freezing. The air-conditioning
compressor operates although the
indicator light is not on. The
air-conditioning indicator light turns
off when defog is selected. If the air-conditioning button is pressed
while in defog mode, the indicator
light will turn on. If the button is
pressed again, the light will turn off.
The recirculation mode cannot be
selected while in the defog mode.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.
1(Defrost):
This mode quickly
clears the windshield of fog or frost.
Air is directed to the windshield with
some air directed to the floor vents.
In this mode, outside air is pulled
into the vehicle. The air-conditioning
compressor will not run unless the
outside temperature is at or below
freezing. The air-conditioning
compressor operates although the
indicator light is not on. The
air-conditioning indicator light turns
off when defrost is selected. If the
air-conditioning button is pressed
while in defrost mode, the indicator
light turns on. If the button is
pressed again, the light turns off.
Recirculation cannot be selected
while in the defrost mode.

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls 8-3
To help clear the windshield quickly,
do the following:
1. Select
0.
2. Select the highest temperature.
3. Select the highest fan speed.
#(Air Conditioning): Press to
turn the air conditioning system on
or off. An indicator light comes on to
show it is on.
The air-conditioning system
removes moisture from the air, so a
small amount of water might drip
under the vehicle while it is idling or
after the engine is turned off is
normal.
Maximum Air Conditioning
On hot days, open the windows to
let hot inside air escape; then close
them. This helps reduce the time it
takes for the vehicle to cool down.
It also helps the air conditioning
system operate more efficiently. For quick cool down on hot days, do
the following:
1. Select the
Cvent mode.
2. Select the highest fan speed.
3. Select
#air conditioning.
4. Select the
?
recirculation mode.
5. Select the coolest temperature.
Using these settings together for
long periods of time can cause the
air inside of the vehicle to become
too dry. To prevent this from
happening, after the air in the
vehicle has cooled, turn the
recirculation mode off.
:(Outside Air): Press to turn
the outside air mode on. An
indicator light comes on to show
that it is on. Air from outside the
vehicle will circulate throughout the
vehicle. The outside air mode can
be used with all modes, but it cannot be used with the
recirculation mode. Press
:to
cancel the recirculation mode.
?(Recirculation): Press to turn
the recirculation mode on. An
indicator light comes on to show
that it is on. This mode recirculates
and helps to quickly cool the air
inside the vehicle. It can be used to
prevent outside air and odors from
entering the vehicle. The
recirculation indicator light blinks
three times if you try to use
recirculation in a mode in which it
cannot function.
Pressing this button cancels the
outside air mode. When switching to
the defog or defrost modes the
system automatically moves from
recirculation to outside air. When
the vehicle or fan is turned off and
back on, the system defaults to
outside air automatically. Only use
recirculation mode when it is
needed for comfort, since window
fogging can occur.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011
8-4 Climate Controls
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a
warming grid to remove fog or frost
from the rear window.
window defogger on or off. An
indicator light comes on to show
that the rear window defogger is on.
Be sure to clear as much snow from
the rear window as possible.
If driving below 80 km/h (50 mph),
the rear window defogger turns off
about 15 minutes after the button
is pressed. If turned on again, the
defogger only runs for about
seven minutes before turning off.
The defogger can also be turned
off by turning off the engine. If the vehicle's speed is maintained
above 80 km/h (50 mph), the rear
window defogger remains on once
the button is pressed.
If the vehicle has heated outside
mirrors, the surface of the outside
mirrors heat when the rear window
defogger is activated. See
Heated
Mirrors on page 2‑15.
Notice: Do not use anything
sharp on the inside of the rear
window. If you do, you could cut
or damage the warming grid, and
the repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do not
attach a temporary vehicle
license, tape, a decal or anything
similar to the defogger grid. Remote Start Climate Control
Operation
For vehicles with the remote start
feature, when it is activated the
climate control system heats or
cools the inside of the vehicle using
the modes that were set before the
vehicle was turned off. The climate
control knobs will remain active
during a remote start. However, the
climate control buttons will be
inactive until the ignition is turned
on by the key. If the fan is off, the
climate control system will not
operate during remote start. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2‑3.

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls 8-5
Automatic Climate Control System
For vehicles with this system, the heating, cooling, and ventilation can be
automatically controlled.
A. Fan Control
B. Air Conditioning
C. Recirculation
D. Outside AirE. Rear Window Defogger
F. Air Delivery Mode Control
G. Display
H. Temperature Control
Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic):
Select AUTO
on both the fan speed control and
the air delivery mode control knobs
to activate the automatic system.
When automatic operation is active
the system controls the inside
temperature and air delivery.
To place the system in automatic
mode do the following:
1. Turn the fan knob and the mode knob to the AUTO position.
The current set temperature
displays. When AUTO is
selected, the air conditioning
operation and air inlet is
automatically controlled. The air
conditioning compressor runs
while the outside temperature is
over about 40°F (4°C). The air
inlet will normally be set to
outside air. If it is hot outside,
the air inlet may automatically
switch to recirculate inside air to
help quickly cool down the
vehicle.

Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011
8-6 Climate Controls
2. Set the temperature.An initial setting of 73°F (23°C)
is recommended. Allow about
20 minutes for the system to
regulate. Press
worxto
adjust the temperature setting as
necessary. If the temperature is
set at 60°F (15°C) the system
remains at the maximum cooling
setting. If the temperature is set
at 90°F (32°C) the system
remains at the maximum heat
setting. Choosing either
maximum setting does not
cause the vehicle to heat or
cool any faster.
Do not to cover the sensor
located on the top of the
instrument panel near the
windshield. This sensor
regulates air temperature based
on the intensity of the sun.
Also do not cover the sensor
grille on the lower right side of
the climate control faceplate, as
this regulates the inside
temperature. To avoid blowing cold air at
engine start-up in cold weather,
the system delays turning on the
fan until warm air is available.
The length of delay depends on
the engine coolant temperature.
Turning the fan knob overrides
this delay and changes the fan
to the selected speed.
Manual Operation
9(Off):
Select this position on the
fan knob to turn off the entire
climate control system. Outside air
still enters the vehicle. The airflow
direction and temperature can be
adjusted.
x/wTemperature Control:
Press the arrows to increase or
decrease the temperature inside the
vehicle.
9(Fan Control): Turn clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the fan speed. Air Delivery Mode Control:
Turn
clockwise or counterclockwise to
change the direction of the airflow
in the vehicle.
Select from the following:
H(Vent): Air is directed to the
instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level): Air is divided
between the instrument panel
outlets and the floor outlets.
6(Floor): Air is directed to the
floor outlets with some air directed
to the side window outlets.
-(Defog): This mode clears the
windows of fog or moisture. Air is
directed to the floor and windshield
outlets.
0(Defrost): This mode clears the
windows of fog or frost more quickly.
The system automatically controls
the fan speed if defrost is selected
from the AUTO mode. If the outside
temperature is 4°C (40°F) or
warmer, the air conditioning
compressor automatically runs to
help dehumidify the air and dry the

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011
Climate Controls 8-7
windshield. The air conditioning
indicator light blinks three times if
the compressor is turned off while in
this mode.
#(Air Conditioning):Press turn
the air conditioning on and off. An
indicator light turns on to show the
air conditioning is on.
When air conditioning is selected or
is in AUTO mode, the system runs
the air conditioning automatically to
cool and dehumidify the air entering
the vehicle.
On hot days, open the windows long
enough to let hot inside air escape.
This reduces the time it takes for the
vehicle to cool down. Then keep the
windows closed for the air
conditioner to work its best.
On cool, but sunny days while using
manual operation of the automatic
system, use bi-level to deliver warm
air to the floor and cooler air to the
instrument panel outlets. To warm or
cool the air delivered, press the
temperature buttons to the desired
setting. In AUTO mode the system cools
and dehumidifies the air inside
the vehicle. Also while in AUTO
mode, the system maximizes its
performance by using recirculation
as necessary.
Heating:
On cold days when using
manual operation of the automatic
system, use floor mode to deliver air
to the floor outlets. To warm or cool
the air delivered, press
xorwto
the desired temperature setting.
To use the automatic mode, turn the
knob to AUTO and press
xorwto
adjust the temperature.
:(Outside Air): Press to turn
the outside air mode on. An
indicator light comes on to show it is
on. Air from outside the vehicle will
circulate throughout the vehicle. The
outside air mode can be used with
all modes, but it cannot be used
with the recirculation mode.
Pressing this button cancels the
recirculation mode.
h(Recirculation): Press to turn
the recirculation mode on. An
indicator light above the button
comes on to show it is on. This
mode recirculates and helps to
quickly cool the air inside the
vehicle. It can be used to help
prevent outside air and odors
from entering the vehicle. The
recirculation indicator light blinks
three times if you try to use
recirculation in a mode in which it
cannot function.
Pressing this button cancels the
auto recirculation feature. Each time
the vehicle is started, the system
reverts to the auto recirculation
function.
The recirculation mode cannot be
used with the floor, defrost, or defog
modes. If recirculation is selected in
these modes, the indicator flashes
three times and turns off to indicate
that this is not allowed. This is to
prevent window fogging.

Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011
8-8 Climate Controls
When the weather is cool or damp,
operating the system in recirculation
for extended periods of time can
cause fogging of the vehicle's
windows. To clear the fog, select
either defog or defrost. Make sure
the air conditioning is on. Allow the
air conditioning to run automatically
to help dehumidify the air.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a
warming grid to remove fog from the
rear window.
<(Rear):Press to turn the rear
window defogger on or off. An
indicator light comes on to show
that the rear window defogger is on.
If driving below 80 km/h (50 mph),
the rear window defogger turns off
about 15 minutes after the button is
pressed. If additional warming time
is needed, press the button again. If the vehicle's speed is maintained
above 80 km/h (50 mph), the rear
window defogger remains on once
the button is pressed.
For vehicles with heated outside
mirrors, the surface of the outside
mirrors will also heat when the rear
window defogger is activated. See
Heated Mirrors on page 2‑15.
Notice:
Do not use a razor blade
or sharp object to clear the inside
rear window. Do not adhere
anything to the defogger grid
lines in the rear glass. These
actions may damage the rear
defogger. Repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Remote Start Climate Control
Operation
For vehicles with remote start, when
it is activated the climate control
system heats and cools the inside of
the vehicle using the previous
system settings before the vehicle
was turned off. The climate control
knobs will remain active during a
remote start. However, the climate
control buttons will be inactive until
the ignition is turned on by the key.
If the fan is off, the climate control
system will not operate during
remote start.
With the automatic climate control
system, the climate control displays
“RS”
in place of the temperature to
indicate that remote start is
activated. For best performance,
turn both the fan and mode knobs to
AUTO. If the temperature is cold
enough and the mode knob is set to
AUTO, the system begins in defrost
to clear the windows. See Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 2‑3.