2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU window

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Climate Controls 8-3
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.
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.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
8-4 Climate Controls
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.
To improve fuel efficiency and to
cool the vehicle faster, recirculation
may be automatically selected in
warm weather. The recirculation
light will not come on. To override
this feature, select outside air.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a
warming grid to remove fog or frost
from the rear window.
1REAR:Press to turn the
rear 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 2‑14.
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 - 2012
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 (7,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Climate Controls 8-7
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
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.

Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
8-8 Climate Controls
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. 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.
To improve fuel efficiency and to
cool the vehicle faster, recirculation
may be automatically selected in
warm weather. The recirculation
light will not come on. To override
this feature, select outside air.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a
warming grid to remove fog from the
rear window.
1(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 2‑14.
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.

Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Climate Controls 8-9
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.Air Vents
Use the lever located in the center
of each outlet by moving it either up
and down or side-to-side, to change
the direction and amount of airflow
in the vehicle.
Operation Tips
.Clear away any ice, snow,
or leaves from the air inlets at
the base of the windshield that
may block the flow of air into the
vehicle.
.Do not use non-GM approved
hood deflectors as they could
adversely affect the performance
of the system.
.Keep the path under the front
seats clear of objects to help
circulate the air inside of the
vehicle more effectively.
.When an objectionable odor
outside the vehicle is
encountered, use the
recirculation mode, with the
temperature knob at a
comfortable setting to prevent
the odor from entering the
vehicle through the ventilation
system. This can be helpful
when driving through a long
tunnel with poor ventilation.
However, extended usage of this
mode in cold or cool weather
can cause window fogging.

Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-9
TheAntilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 9‑28 improves vehicle
stability during hard stops on
slippery roads, but apply the brakes
sooner than when on dry pavement.
Allow greater following distance on
any slippery road and watch for
slippery spots. Icy patches can
occur on otherwise clear roads in
shaded areas. The surface of a
curve or an overpass can remain icy
when the surrounding roads are
clear. Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
Turn off cruise control on slippery
surfaces.
Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be a
serious situation. Stay with the
vehicle unless there is help nearby.
If possible, use the Roadside
Assistance Program (U.S. and
Canada) on page 13‑7 orRoadside Assistance Program (Mexico) on
page 13‑10. To get help and keep
everyone in the vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside
mirror.
{WARNING
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO) which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
.Clear away snow from around
the base of your vehicle,
especially any that is blocking
the exhaust pipe.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Check again from time to
time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
.Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the
wind to bring in fresh air.
.Fully open the air outlets
on or under the instrument
panel.
.Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that
circulates the air inside the
vehicle and set the fan
speed to the highest setting.
See“Climate Control System”
in the Index.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9‑23.

Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
9-10 Driving and Operating
Run the engine for short periods
only as needed to keep warm,
but be careful.
To save fuel, run the engine for only
short periods as needed to warm
the vehicle and then shut the engine
off and close the window most of
the way to save heat. Repeat this
until help arrives but only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the
cold. Moving about to keep warm
also helps.
If it takes some time for help to
arrive, now and then when you run
the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs
faster than the idle speed. This
keeps the battery charged to restart
the vehicle and to signal for help
with the headlamps. Do this as little
as possible to save fuel.If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
If the vehicle has a traction system,
it can often help to free a stuck
vehicle. Refer to the vehicle's
traction system in the Index. If stuck
too severely for the traction system
to free the vehicle, turn the traction
system off and use the rocking
method.{WARNING
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and
you or others could be injured.
The vehicle can overheat,
causing an engine compartment
fire or other damage. Spin the
wheels as little as possible and
avoid going above 55 km/h
(35 mph).
For information about using tire
chains on the vehicle, see Tire
Chains on page 10‑64.