Black plate (26,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 6/6/12
1-26 In Brief
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)
Vehicles that have a yellow fuel
cap can use either unleaded
gasoline or ethanol fuel containing
up to 85% ethanol (E85). SeeFuel
E85 (85% Ethanol) on page 9‑47.
For all other vehicles, use only the
unleaded gasoline described under
Recommended Fuel on page 9‑45.
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving tips
to get the best fuel economy
possible.
.Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoid
abrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
.When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control.
.Always follow posted speed
limits or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
.Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated.
.Combine several trips into a
single trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire's sidewall
near the size.
.Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Roadside Assistance
Program
U.S.: 1-800-243-8872
TTY Users (U.S. Only):
1-888-889-2438
Canada: 1-800-268-6800
Mexico: 01-800-466-0800
As the owner of a new Chevrolet,
you are automatically enrolled in the
Roadside Assistance program. See
Roadside Assistance Program
(Mexico) on page 13‑7 orRoadside
Assistance Program (U.S. and
Canada) on page 13‑11.
Roadside Assistance and OnStar
(U.S. and Canada)
If the vehicle has an active OnStar
subscription, contact OnStar and the
vehicle’s current GPS location will
be sent to an OnStar advisor to
assess the situation, contact
Roadside Assistance, and relay the
exact location to send help.
OnStar®
If equipped, this vehicle has a
comprehensive, in-vehicle system
that can connect to a live Advisor
for Emergency, Security, Navigation,
Connection, and Diagnostic
Services. See OnStar Overview on
page 14‑1.
Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 6/6/12
2-4 Keys, Doors, and Windows
The turn signal indicators may flash
and/or the horn may sound to
indicate unlocking. See“Unlock
Feedback” underVehicle
Personalization on page 5‑35.
Pressing
Kwill disarm the
theft-deterrent system. See Vehicle
Alarm System on page 2‑13.
Memory seat positions may be
recalled when unlocking the vehicle.
See Memory Seats on page 3‑6 and
“Memory Remote Recall” under
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑35.
V (Remote Trunk Release):
Press and hold to open the trunk.
7(Vehicle Locator/Panic
Alarm): Press and release one
time to initiate vehicle locator. The
exterior lamps flash and the horn
chirps three times. Press and hold
7for at least
three seconds to sound the panic
alarm. The horn sounds and the
turn signals flash for about
30 seconds until
7is pressed again
or the vehicle is started.
/(Remote Vehicle Start): For
vehicles with this feature, press
Q
and release and then press and
hold
/within two seconds to start
the engine from outside the vehicle
using the RKE transmitter. See
Remote Vehicle Start on page 2‑7.
The buttons on the keys are
disabled when there is a key is in
the ignition, if equipped.
Keyless Access Operation
Some vehicles have the keyless
access system that lets you lock
and unlock the doors and access
the trunk without removing the RKE
transmitter from your pocket, purse, briefcase, etc. The RKE transmitter
must be within 1 m (3 ft) of the door
being unlocked. If the vehicle has
this feature, there will be a button on
the outside front door handles.
The keyless access can be
programmed to unlock all doors on
the first unlock/lock button press
from the driver door. See
Vehicle
Personalization on page 5‑35.
Keyless Unlocking/Locking from
the Driver Door
When the doors are locked and the
RKE transmitter is within 1 m (3 ft)
of the driver door handle, pressing
the lock/unlock button on the driver
door handle will unlock the driver
door. If the lock/unlock button is
pressed again within five seconds,
all passenger doors will unlock. Pull
the door handle to unlatch the door.
Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 6/6/12
2-6 Keys, Doors, and Windows
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.
The vehicle can be reprogrammed
so that lost or stolen transmitters no
longer work. Any remaining
transmitters will need to be
reprogrammed. Each vehicle can
have up to eight transmitters
matched to it.
Starting the Vehicle with a Low
Transmitter Battery
If the transmitter battery is weak, the
DIC may display NO REMOTE
DETECTED when you try to start
the vehicle. The REPLACE
BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY
message may also be displayed at
this time.To start the vehicle:
1. Open the center console and
place the transmitter in the
transmitter pocket with the
buttons facing the front of the
vehicle.
2. With the vehicle in P (Park) or N (Neutral), press the brake
pedal and press the START
button. See Starting the Engine
on page 9‑18.
Replace the transmitter battery
as soon as possible.
Battery Replacement
Replace the battery if the DIC
indicates that battery replacement is
necessary. See Key and Lock
Messages on page 5‑31.
The battery is not rechargeable. To
replace the battery:
1. Push the button on the transmitter to extend the key
blade.
2. Remove the battery cover byprying it with a finger.
3. Remove the battery by pushing on the battery and sliding it
toward the key blade.
4. Insert the new battery, positive side facing up. Push the battery
down until it is held in place.
Replace with a CR2032 or
equivalent battery.
5. Snap the battery cover back on to the transmitter.
Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 6/6/12
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-7
Remote Vehicle Start
The vehicle may have this feature
that allows the engine to be started
from outside the vehicle.
/(Remote Vehicle Start):This
button will be on the RKE
transmitter if the vehicle has remote
start.
The climate control system will use
the previous settings during a
remote start. The rear window
defogger may come on during a
remote start based on cold ambient
conditions. The rear defog indicator
light does not come on during a
remote start.
If the vehicle has heated seats, they
may come on during a remote start.
See Heated Front Seats on
page 3‑8.
Laws in some local communities
may restrict the use of remote
starters. For example, some laws
require a person using remote start to have the vehicle in view. Check
local regulations for any
requirements.
Other conditions can affect the
performance of the transmitter. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System on page 2‑3.
Starting the Vehicle
To start the engine using the remote
start feature:
1. Aim the RKE transmitter at the
vehicle.
2. Press and release
Q.
3. Immediately after completing Step 2, press and hold
/for at
least two seconds or until the
turn signal lamps flash. The turn
signal lamps flashing confirms
the request to remote start the
vehicle has been received.
When the engine starts, the parking
lamps will turn on and remain on as
long as the engine is running. The
doors will be locked and the climate
control system may come on. The engine will continue to run for
10 minutes. Repeat the steps for a
10-minute time extension. Remote
start can be extended only once.
Start the vehicle before driving.
Extending Engine Run Time
For a 10-minute extension, repeat
Steps 1–3 while the engine is still
running. The remote start can be
extended once.
When the remote start is extended,
the second 10 minutes will start
immediately.
For example, if the engine has been
running for five minutes, and
10 minutes are added, the engine
will run for a total of 15 minutes.
A maximum of two remote starts,
or a single start with an extension,
is allowed between ignition cycles.
The vehicle's ignition must be
turned on and then back off before
the remote start procedure can be
used again.
Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 6/6/12
2-8 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Canceling a Remote Start
To cancel a remote start, do one of
the following:
.Aim the RKE transmitter at the
vehicle and press and hold
/
until the parking lamps turn off.
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Turn the vehicle on and then off.
Conditions in Which Remote Start
Will Not Work
The remote vehicle start feature will
not operate if:
.The key is in the ignition (key
access) or if the key is in the
vehicle (keyless access).
.The hood is not closed.
.The hazard warning flashers
are on.
.The malfunction indicator lamp
is on.
.The engine coolant temperature
is too high.
.The oil pressure is low.
.Two remote vehicle starts, or a
single remote start with an
extension, have already
been used.
.The vehicle is not in P (Park).
Door Locks
{WARNING
Unlocked doors can be
dangerous.
.Passengers, especially
children, can easily open the
doors and fall out of a moving
vehicle. When a door is
locked, the handle will not
open it. The chance of being
thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash is increased if the
doors are not locked. So, all
passengers should wear
safety belts properly and the (Continued)
WARNING (CONTINUED)
doors should be locked
whenever the vehicle is
driven.
.Young children who get into
unlocked vehicles may be
unable to get out. A child can
be overcome by extreme heat
and can suffer permanent
injuries or even death from
heat stroke. Always lock the
vehicle whenever leaving it.
.Outsiders can easily enter
through an unlocked door
when you slow down or stop
the vehicle. Locking the doors
can help prevent this from
happening.
Black plate (11,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 6/6/12
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-11
Doors
Trunk
{WARNING
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.
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.(Continued)
WARNING (CONTINUED)
.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 Systems” 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 9‑25.
Trunk Release
The trunk can only be opened while
the vehicle is in P (Park) or when
the ignition is off.
Press
Von the RKE transmitter.
See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2‑3.
Unlock the trunk first by pressingK
on the center stack, front door
panel, or RKE transmitter. Then,
press the touch pad on the trunk
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(CHMSL).
Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 6/6/12
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-13
Vehicle Security
This vehicle has theft-deterrent
features; however, they do not make
the vehicle impossible to steal.
Vehicle Alarm System
This vehicle has an anti-theft alarm
system.
Arming the System
To arm the system, pressQon the
RKE transmitter.
The alarm automatically arms after
about 30 seconds. The security
light, on the instrument cluster,
flashes.
Press
Von the RKE transmitter to
open the trunk without setting off the
alarm. The system rearms when the
trunk is closed.
Disarming the System
To disarm the system, do one of the
following:
.PressKon the RKE transmitter.
.Approach the vehicle with the
RKE transmitter (keyless
access).
.Start the engine.
The alarm automatically disarms.
How to Detect a Tamper
Condition
IfKis pressed and the horn
sounds, an attempted break-in
occurred while the system was
armed.
If the alarm has been activated, a
message will appear on the DIC.
See Security Messages on
page 5‑32.
Immobilizer
See Radio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑21 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-GEN/210/220/310.
Immobilizer Operation
(Key Access)
This vehicle has a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system does not have to be
manually armed or disarmed.
The vehicle is automatically
immobilized when the key is
removed from the ignition.
The system is automatically
disarmed when the vehicle is
started with the correct key.
The key uses a transponder
that matches an immobilizer
control unit in the vehicle and
automatically disarms the system.
Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2013 - CRC - 6/6/12
2-14 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Only the correct key starts the
vehicle. The vehicle may not start if
the key is damaged.
The security light in the instrument
cluster comes on if there is a
problem with arming or disarming
the theft-deterrent system.
When trying to start the vehicle, the
security light comes on briefly when
the ignition is turned on.
If the engine does not start and the
security light stays on, there is a
problem with the system. Turn the
ignition off and try again.
If the engine still does not start, and
the key appears to be undamaged
or the light continues to stay on, try
another ignition key.If the engine still does not start with
the other key, the vehicle needs
service. If the vehicle does start, the
first key may be damaged. See your
dealer who can service the
theft-deterrent system and have a
new key made.
Do not leave the key or device that
disarms or deactivates the
theft-deterrent system in the vehicle.
Immobilizer Operation
(Keyless Access)
This vehicle has a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system does not have to be
manually armed or disarmed.
The vehicle is automatically
immobilized when the transmitter
leaves the vehicle.
The immobilization system is
disarmed when the ignition button is
pushed in and a valid transmitter is
found in the vehicle.
The security light in the instrument
cluster comes on if there is a
problem with arming or disarming
the theft-deterrent system.
The system has one or more
transmitters matched to an
immobilizer control unit in your
vehicle. Only a correctly matched
transmitter will start the vehicle.
If the transmitter is ever damaged,
you may not be able to start your
vehicle.
When trying to start the vehicle, the
security light comes on briefly when
the ignition is turned on.
If the engine does not start and the
security light stays on, there is a
problem with the system. Turn the
ignition off and try again.