Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
Introduction 3
{Warning
Warning indicates a hazard that
could result in injury or death.
Caution
Caution indicates a hazard that
could result in property or vehicle
damage.
A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means“Do
Not,” “Do not do this,” or“Do not let
this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gauge, or indicator.
M: Shown when the owner
manual has additional instructions
or information.
*: Shown when the service
manual has additional instructions
or information.
0: Shown when there is more
information on another page —
“see page.”
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the Index.
9: Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
%:Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar®(if equipped)
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I: Cruise Control
`:Do Not Puncture
^:Do Not Service
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
g: First Responder
_:Flame/Fire Prohibited
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gauge
+: Fuses
3:Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j: LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
Q:OnStar
O:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
In Brief 5
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . . . 6
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Second Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Heated Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 12
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Passenger Sensing System . . . 13
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . 14
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . 15
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Vehicle Features
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . . . 18
Bluetooth
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 19
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . 20
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Universal Remote System . . . . . 21
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . . . 23
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . 23
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
8 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 025 and Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation 027.
Remote Vehicle Start
If equipped, the engine can be
started from outside of the vehicle.
Starting the Vehicle
1. Press and releaseQon the
RKE transmitter.
2. Immediately press and hold
/
for at least four seconds or until
the turn signal lamps flash.
3. Start the vehicle normally after entering.
When the vehicle starts, the parking
lamps will turn on.
Remote start can be extended.
Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
In Brief 9
Canceling a Remote Start
To cancel a remote start, do one of
the following:
.Press and hold
/until the
parking lamps turn off.
. Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
. Turn the vehicle on and then off.
See Remote Vehicle Start 033.
Door Locks
To lock or unlock the doors from the
outside:
.
Press
QorKon the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
See Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation 027.
. Use the key in the driver door.
To lock or unlock the doors from the
inside:
. PressQorKon the door lock
switch.
. Push the lock knob on the driver
door to lock all doors. Push the
lock knob on a passenger door
to lock only that door.
. Pull the door handle once to
unlock the door. Pulling the
handle again unlatches the door.
See Door Locks 034 orPower Door
Locks 035.
Windows
Press the switch down to open the
window. Pull the front of the switch
up to close it.
The power windows only operate
with the ignition in ACC/
ACCESSORY or ON/RUN/START,
or when Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) is active. See
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
0194.
Express Window Operation
Windows with an express-down
feature allow the window to be
lowered without holding the switch.
Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/31/15
Keys, Doors, and Windows 25
Keys, Doors, and
Windows
Keys and Locks
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . 33
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . 36
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Doors
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Vehicle Security
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Vehicle Alarm System . . . . . . . . . 39
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Immobilizer Operation (Key Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Immobilizer Operation (Keyless Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Reverse Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Interior Mirrors
Interior Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . 43
Manual Rearview Mirror . . . . . . . . 43
Automatic Dimming RearviewMirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Windows
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Roof
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Keys and Locks
Keys
{Warning
Leaving children in a vehicle with
an ignition key or Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter is
dangerous and children or others
could be seriously injured or
killed. They could operate the
power window or other controls or
make the vehicle move. The
windows will function with the key
in the ignition or with the RKE
transmitter in the vehicle, and
children or others could be caught
in the path of a closing window.
Do not leave children in a vehicle
with the ignition key or an RKE
transmitter.
Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/31/15
26 Keys, Doors, and Windows
{Warning
If the key is unintentionally
rotated while the vehicle is
running, the ignition could be
moved out of the RUN position.
This could be caused by heavy
items hanging from the key ring,
or by large or long items attached
to the key ring that could be
contacted by the driver or
steering wheel. If the ignition
moves out of the RUN position,
the engine will shut off, braking
and steering power assist may be(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
impacted, and airbags may not
deploy. To reduce the risk of
unintentional rotation of the
ignition key, do not change the
way the ignition key and Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter,
if equipped, are connected to the
provided key rings.
If the vehicle is equipped with a
keyed ignition, the ignition key, key
rings, and RKE transmitter,
if equipped, are designed to work
together. As a system, it reduces
the risk of unintentionally moving
the key out of the RUN position.
If replacements or additions are
required, see your dealer. Limit
added items to a few essential keys
or small, light items no larger than
an RKE transmitter.
Interference from radio-frequency
identification (RFID) tags may
prevent the key from starting the
vehicle. Keep RFID tags away from
the key when starting the vehicle.
The key that is part of the RKE
transmitter can be used for the
ignition and all locks if the vehicle is
a Key Access vehicle. If the vehicle
has the keyless ignition, the key can
be used for the locks.
Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/31/15
Keys, Doors, and Windows 27
Press the button on the RKE
transmitter to extend the key. Press
the button and the key blade to
retract the key.
If the vehicle has an ignition and it
becomes difficult to turn the key,
inspect the key blade for debris.
Periodically clean with a brush
or pick.
See your dealer if a new key is
needed.
If locked out of the vehicle, see
Roadside Assistance Program
0329. With an active OnStar subscription,
an OnStar Advisor may remotely
unlock the vehicle. See
OnStar
Overview 0339.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
See Radio Frequency Statement
0 335.
If there is a decrease in the RKE
operating range:
. Check the distance. The
transmitter may be too far from
the vehicle.
. Check the location. Other
vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal.
. Check the transmitter's battery.
See “Battery Replacement” later
in this section.
. If the transmitter is still not
working correctly, see your
dealer or a qualified technician
for service.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation
The Keyless Access system allows
for vehicle entry when the
transmitter is within range. See
“Keyless Access Operation”
following.
The transmitter functions may work
up to 60 m (197 ft) away from the
vehicle.
Other conditions, such as those
previously stated, can impact the
performance of the transmitter.
With Remote Start Shown
Q(Lock) : Press to lock all doors.
Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/31/15
28 Keys, Doors, and Windows
The turn signal indicators may flash
and/or the horn may sound on the
second press to indicate locking.
SeeVehicle Personalization 0122.
If the driver door is open when
Qis
pressed, all doors lock except the
driver door, if enabled through
vehicle personalization. See Vehicle
Personalization 0122.
If the passenger door is open when
Qis pressed, all doors lock.
Pressing
Qmay also arm the alarm
system. See Vehicle Alarm System
0 39.
K(Unlock) : Press to unlock the
driver door or all doors. See Vehicle
Personalization 0122.
The turn signal indicators may flash
to indicate unlocking. See Vehicle
Personalization 0122.
Pressing
Kwill disarm the alarm
system. See Vehicle Alarm System
0 39.
Memory seat positions may be
recalled when unlocking the vehicle.
See Memory Seats 052 and
Vehicle Personalization 0122.
Y(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
/for at least four seconds to
start the engine from outside the
vehicle using the RKE transmitter.
See Remote Vehicle Start 033.
The RKE transmitter buttons will not
operate when the key is in the
ignition.
Keyless Access Operation
If equipped, the Keyless Access
system allows the door and trunk to
be locked and unlocked without
pressing the RKE transmitter button.
The RKE transmitter must be within
1 m (3 ft) of the door being opened.
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 0122.
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.