Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7575972) - 2015 - crc - 4/1/14
2015 Chevrolet Malibu Owner ManualM
In Brief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Performance and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Keys, Doors, and Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Interior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-22
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9 Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-31
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1
Additional Storage Features . . . 4-2
Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 5-31
Universal Remote System . . . . 5-38
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1 Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Lighting Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-13
Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-19
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-14
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-25
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-29
Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7575972) - 2015 - crc - 4/1/14
In Brief 1-1
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Second Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Heated Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 1-9
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10 Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Steering Wheel
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 1-12
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Vehicle Features
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . 1-15
Bluetooth
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . 1-16
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17 Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Universal Remote System . . . 1-18
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . 1-20
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 1-20
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7575972) - 2015 - crc - 4/1/14
In Brief 1-3
1.Air Vents on page 8-8.
2. Turn Signal Lever. See Turn and
Lane-Change Signals on
page 6-4.
Driver Information Center
Buttons. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 5-21.
3. Instrument Cluster on page 5-8.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 5-21.
4. Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5-3.
5. Storage Area (If Equipped). See Instrument Panel Storage on
page 4-1.
6. Light Sensor. See Automatic
Headlamp System on page 6-3.
7. Infotainment on page 7-1.
8. CD Player on page 7-13. 9.
Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6-1.
Fog Lamps on page 6-4 (If
Equipped).
Instrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 6-5.
10. Storage Compartment. See Instrument Panel Storage on
page 4-1.
11. Data Link Connector (Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5-13.
12. Hood Release. See Hood on
page 10-4.
13. Cruise Control on page 9-31.
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System on page 9-34 (If
Equipped).
14. Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 5-2.
15. Horn on page 5-3.
16. Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5-2. 17.
Ignition Positions (Keyless
Access) on page 9-14 or
Ignition Positions (Key Access)
on page 9-16.
18. Heated Front Seats on
page 3-7 (If Equipped).
19. Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 6-3.
20. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission on page 9-25.
21. Parking Brake on page 9-28.
22. Power Outlets on page 5-5.
23. Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control on page 9-29.
Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) on page 9-42 (If
Equipped).
24. Climate Control Systems on
page 8-1.
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8-4.
Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7575972) - 2015 - crc - 4/1/14
1-4 In Brief
Initial Drive
Information
This section provides a brief
overview about some of the
important features that may or may
not be on your specific vehicle.
For more detailed information, refer
to each of the features which can be
found later in this owner manual.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter may work up to 60 m
(197 ft) away from the vehicle.
With Remote Start Shown
Press the button to extend the key.
The key can be used for all locks.
This key is also used for the
ignition, if the vehicle does not have
pushbutton start.
K: Press to unlock the driver door
or all doors.
Q: Press to lock all doors.
Lock and unlock feedback can be
personalized.
Y: Press and hold to open the
trunk.
7: Press and release one time to
initiate vehicle locator. Press and
hold for at least three seconds to
sound the panic alarm. Press again
to cancel the panic alarm.
See Keys on page 2-1 andRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 2-3.
Remote Vehicle Start
If equipped, the engine can be
started from outside of the vehicle.
Starting the Vehicle
1. Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle.
2. Press and release
Q.
3. Immediately, press and hold
/
for at least four seconds or until
the turn signal lamps flash.
When the vehicle 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.
Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7575972) - 2015 - crc - 4/1/14
In Brief 1-9
Heated Seats
If available, the buttons are on the
climate control panel. To operate,
the engine must be running.
Press
MorLto heat the driver or
passenger seat cushion and
seatback. Indicator lights on the
button show the current setting.
Press the button once for the
highest setting. With each press of
the button, the heated seat will
change to the next lower setting, and then to the off setting. The
lights indicate three for the highest
setting and one for the lowest.
See
Heated Front Seats on
page 3-7.
Head Restraint
Adjustment
Do not drive until the head restraints
for all occupants are installed and
adjusted properly.
To achieve a comfortable seating
position, change the seatback
recline angle as little as necessary
while keeping the seat and the head
restraint height in the proper
position.
See Head Restraints on page 3-2
and Seat Adjustment on page 3-3.
Safety Belts
Refer to the following sections for
important information on how to use
safety belts properly:
.Safety Belts on page 3-11.
.How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly on page 3-12.
.Lap-Shoulder Belt on page 3-13.
.Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children (LATCH System) on
page 3-39.
Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7575972) - 2015 - crc - 4/1/14
In Brief 1-13
INT:Move the lever up to INT for
intermittent wipes, then turn the
x
INT band up for more frequent
wipes or down for less frequent
wipes.
OFF: Use to turn the wipers off.
1X : For a single wipe, briefly move
the lever down. For several wipes,
hold the lever down.
n L: Pull the lever toward you to
spray windshield washer fluid and
activate the wipers.
See Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5-3.
Climate Controls
The heating, cooling, and ventilation for the vehicle can be controlled with
this system.
Climate Control System
1. Fan Control
2. Air Conditioning or Comfort/Eco Air Conditioning
3. Air Delivery Modes
4. Defrost 5. Temperature Control
6. Heated Seats (If Equipped)
7. Recirculation
8. Rear Window Defogger
Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7575972) - 2015 - crc - 4/1/14
1-14 In Brief
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
1. Driver and Passenger Temperature Controls
2. Air Conditioning or Comfort/Eco Air Conditioning
3. Air Delivery Modes
4. Defrost
5. AUTO (Automatic Operation)
6. Heated Seats (If Equipped) 7. Recirculation
8. Fan Control
9. Rear Window Defogger
10. SYNC
See
Climate Control Systems on
page 8-1 orDual Automatic Climate
Control System on page 8-4 (If
Equipped).
Transmission
Driver Shift Control (DSC)
DSC allows you to change gears
similar to a manual transmission. To
use this feature:
1. Move the shift lever from D (Drive) rearward to
M (Manual).
2. Press the + (plus) end of the button on the top of the shift
lever to upshift, or push the −
(minus) end of the button to
downshift.
See Manual Mode on page 9-26.
Black plate (18,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7575972) - 2015 - crc - 4/1/14
1-18 In Brief
Parking Assist
If equipped, this system uses
sensors on the rear bumper to
assist with parking and avoiding
objects while in R (Reverse).
It operates at speeds less than
8 km/h (5 mph). Rear Parking Assist
(RPA) uses audible beeps to
provide distance and system
information.
Keep the sensors on the vehicle's
rear bumper clean to ensure proper
operation.
SeeParking Assist on page 9-36.
Power Outlets
The accessory power outlets can be
used to plug in electrical equipment,
such as a cell phone or MP3 player.
There are two accessory power
outlets: one on the center stack
below the climate control and one
under the armrest inside the center
console storage. Open the protective cover to use the
accessory power outlet.
See
Power Outlets on page 5-5.
Universal Remote System
If equipped, this system provides a
way to replace up to three remote
control transmitters used to activate
devices such as garage door
openers, security systems, and
home automation devices.
Read the instructions completely
before attempting to program the
Universal Remote system. Because
of the steps involved, it may be
helpful to have another person
available to assist with programming
the Universal Remote system. See
Universal Remote System on
page 5-38.
Sunroof
On vehicles with a sunroof, the
switches used to operate it are on
the headliner above the rearview
mirror. The ignition must be in ON/
RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY, or in
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) to
operate the sunroof. See Ignition
Positions (Keyless Access) on
page 9-14 orIgnition Positions (Key
Access) on page 9-16 andRetained
Accessory Power (RAP) on
page 9-21.