Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
Instruments and Controls 95
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . 96
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 96
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . 97
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . 103
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 104
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 105 Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 106
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 109
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
StabiliTrak
®OFF Light . . . . . . . . 109
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . . 110
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 111
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 111
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . 111
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . 112
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 112
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Information Displays
Center Stack Display . . . . . . . . . 112
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Battery Voltage and Charging
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Brake System Messages . . . . . 116
Compass Messages . . . . . . . . . . 116
Cruise Control Messages . . . . . 116
Door Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . 116
Engine Cooling System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Engine Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . 117
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 118
Fuel System Messages . . . . . . . 118
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . . 118
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Object Detection System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Ride Control System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Security Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Service Vehicle Messages . . . . 120
Tire Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Transmission Messages . . . . . . 121
Vehicle Reminder Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Washer Fluid Messages . . . . . . 121
Window Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 122
Universal Remote System
Universal Remote System . . . . 128
Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
100 Instruments and Controls
The power outlet is on the rear of
the center console.
An indicator light on the outlet turns
on to show it is in use. The light
comes on when the ignition is in
ON/RUN and equipment requiring
less than 150 watts is plugged into
the outlet, and no system fault is
detected.
The indicator light does not come on
if the ignition is in LOCK/OFF, no
equipment is plugged into the outlet,
or if the equipment is plugged, but
not fully seated in the outlet.
If equipment is connected using
more than 150 watts or a system
fault is detected, the equipment mayoperate briefly then turn off.
A protection circuit shuts off the
power supply and the indicator light
turns off. To reset the circuit, unplug
the item and plug it back in or turn
the Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) off and then back on. See
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
0
194. The power restarts when
equipment using 150 watts or less is
plugged into the outlet and a system
fault is not detected.
The power outlet is not designed for
the following, and may not work
properly if they are plugged in:
. Equipment with high initial peak
wattage, such as
compressor-driven refrigerators
and electric power tools.
. Other equipment requiring an
extremely stable power supply,
such as
microcomputer-controlled
electric blankets and touch
sensor lamps.
. Medical equipment.
See High Voltage Devices and
Wiring 0253.
Warning Lights,
Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning lights and gauges can
signal that something is wrong
before it becomes serious enough
to cause an expensive repair or
replacement. Paying attention to the
warning lights and gauges could
prevent injury.
Some warning lights come on briefly
when the engine is started to
indicate they are working. When
one of the warning lights comes on
and stays on while driving, or when
one of the gauges shows there may
be a problem, check the section that
explains what to do. Waiting to do
repairs can be costly and even
dangerous.
Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
Instruments and Controls 105
United States
Canada
When the vehicle is started, the
passenger airbag status indicator
will light ON and OFF, or the symbol
for on and off, for several seconds
as a system check. Then, after
several more seconds, the status
indicator will light either ON or OFF,
or either the on or off symbol, to let
you know the status of the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag
and knee airbag.
If the word ON or the on symbol is
lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the front outboard passenger frontal airbag
and knee airbag are allowed to
inflate.
If the word OFF or the off symbol is
lit on the airbag status indicator, it
means that the passenger sensing
system has turned off the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag
and knee airbag.
If, after several seconds, both status
indicator lights remain on, or if there
are no lights at all, there may be a
problem with the lights or the
passenger sensing system. See
your dealer for service.
{Warning
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others,
have the vehicle serviced right
away. See
Airbag Readiness
Light 0104 for more information,
including important safety
information.
Charging System Light
This light comes on briefly when the
ignition key is turned to START, but
the engine is not running, as a
check to show it is working.
If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer.
The light should go out once the
engine starts. If it stays on,
or comes on while driving, there
could be a problem with the
charging system. This light could
indicate that there are problems with
a generator drive belt, or that there
is an electrical problem. Have it
checked right away. If the vehicle
must be driven a short distance with
the light on, turn off accessories,
such as the radio and air
conditioner.
Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
132 Lighting
Lighting
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . 132
Exterior Lamps OffReminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Automatic Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . 134
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Courtesy Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Battery Load Management . . . 137
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls
The exterior lamp control is on the
instrument panel on the left side of
the steering wheel.
Turn the control to the following
positions:
O(Off) : Turns off the exterior
lamps. The knob returns to the
AUTO position after it is released.
Turn to
Oagain to reactivate the
AUTO mode.
In Canada, the headlamps will
automatically reactivate when the
vehicle is shifted out of P (Park). AUTO (Automatic) :
Automatically
turns the exterior lamps on and off,
depending on outside lighting.
;(Parking Lamps) : Turns on the
parking lamps including all lamps,
except the headlamps.
2(Headlamps) : Turns on the
headlamps together with the parking
lamps and instrument panel lights.
Exterior Lamps Off
Reminder
A warning chime sounds if the driver
door is opened while the ignition is
off and the exterior lamps are on.
Headlamp High/
Low-Beam Changer
2 3
(Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer) : Push the turn signal
lever away from you and release, to
turn the high beams on. To return to
low beams, push the lever again or
pull it toward you and release.
Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
134 Lighting
When it is bright enough outside,
the headlamps will turn off or may
change to Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL).
The automatic headlamp system
turns off when the exterior lamp
control is turned to
Oor the ignition
is off.
Lights On with Wipers
If the windshield wipers are
activated in daylight with the engine
on, and the exterior lamp control is
in AUTO, the headlamps, parking
lamps, and other exterior lamps
come on. The transition time for the
lamps coming on varies based on
wiper speed. When the wipers are
not operating, these lamps turn off.
Move the exterior lamp control to
P
or;to disable this feature.
Hazard Warning Flashers
|(Hazard Warning Flashers) :
Press this button to make the front
and rear turn signal lamps flash on
and off. Press again to turn the
flashers off.
The hazard warning flashers turn on
automatically if the airbags deploy.
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals
Move the turn signal lever all the
way up or down to signal a turn.
An arrow on the instrument cluster
flashes in the direction of the turn or
lane change.
Raise or lower the lever until the
arrow starts to flash to signal a lane
change. Hold it there until the lane
change is completed. If the lever is
briefly pressed and released, the
turn signal flashes three times.
The turn signal can be turned off
manually by moving the lever back
to its original position.
Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
190 Driving and Operating
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled over,
and must be shut off while driving,
turn the ignition to ACC/
ACCESSORY.
1 (ACC/ACCESSORY) : This
position provides power to some of
the electrical accessories. It unlocks
the ignition. To move the key from
ACC/ACCESSORY to LOCK/OFF,
the shift lever must be in P (Park).
2 (ON/RUN) : The ignition switch
stays in this position when the
engine is running. This position can
be used to operate the electrical
accessories, including the
ventilation fan and 12-volt power
outlets, as well as to display some
warning and indicator lights. This
position can also be used for service and diagnostics, and to
verify the proper operation of the
malfunction indicator lamp as may
be required for emission inspection
purposes. The transmission is also
unlocked in this position.
The battery could be drained if the
key is left in the ACC/ACCESSORY
or ON/RUN position with the engine
off. The vehicle might not restart if
the battery is allowed to drain for an
extended period of time.
3 (START) :
This position starts the
engine. When the engine starts,
release the key. The ignition switch
will return to ON/RUN for normal
driving.
A warning tone sounds when the
driver door is opened when the
ignition is still in ACC/ACCESSORY
and the key is in the ignition. If the
ignition becomes difficult to turn,
see Keys 025.
Key Lock Release
Vehicles with an automatic
transmission are equipped with an
electronic key lock release system.
This system is to prevent ignition
key removal unless the shift lever is
in P (Park).
The key lock release will not work if
the battery is charged less than
9 volts, or uncharged. Try charging
or jump starting the battery. See
Jump Starting - North America
0293.
If charging or jump starting the
battery does not work, there is a
manual key lock release. Locate the
Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
210 Driving and Operating
.Other conditions, such as
vibrations from a jackhammer or
the compression of air brakes on
a very large truck, are affecting
system performance.
Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) System
If equipped, the FCA system may
help to avoid or reduce the harm
caused by front-end crashes. When
approaching a vehicle ahead too
quickly, FCA provides a flashing red
alert on the windshield, and rapidly
beeps. FCA also lights an amber
visual alert if following another
vehicle much too closely.
FCA detects vehicles within a
distance of approximately 60 m
(197 ft) and operates at speeds
above 40 km/h (25 mph).
{Warning
FCA is a warning system and
does not apply the brakes. When
approaching a slower-moving or
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
stopped vehicle ahead too rapidly,
or when following a vehicle too
closely, FCA may not provide a
warning with enough time to help
avoid a crash. FCA does not warn
of pedestrians, animals, signs,
guardrails, bridges, construction
barrels, or other objects. Be ready
to take action and apply the
brakes. For more information, see
Defensive Driving0177.
FCA can be disabled with the FCA
steering wheel control.
Detecting the Vehicle Ahead
FCA warnings will not occur unless
the FCA system detects a vehicle
ahead. When a vehicle is detected,
the vehicle ahead indicator will display green. Vehicles may not be
detected on curves, highway exit
ramps, or hills, due to poor visibility;
or if a vehicle ahead is partially
blocked by pedestrians or other
objects. FCA will not detect another
vehicle ahead until it is completely
in the driving lane.
{Warning
FCA does not provide a warning
to help avoid a crash, unless it
detects a vehicle. FCA may not
detect a vehicle ahead if the FCA
sensor is blocked by dirt, snow,
or ice, or if the windshield is
damaged. It may also not detect a
vehicle on winding or hilly roads,
or in conditions that can limit
visibility such as fog, rain,
or snow, or if the headlamps or
windshield are not cleaned or in
proper condition. Keep the
windshield, headlamps, and FCA
sensors clean and in good repair.
Chevrolet Malibu Limited Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-
9086425) - 2016 - crc - 7/30/15
212 Driving and Operating
the corresponding outside side
mirror and will flash if the turn signal
is on.
{Warning
SBZA does not alert the driver to
vehicles rapidly approaching
outside of the side blind zones,
pedestrians, bicyclists,
or animals. It may not provide
alerts when changing lanes under
all driving conditions. Failure to
use proper care when changing
lanes may result in injury, death,
or vehicle damage. Before
making a lane change, always
check mirrors, glance over your
shoulder, and use the turn
signals.SBZA Detection Zones
The SBZA sensor covers a zone of
approximately one lane over from
both sides of the vehicle, or 3.5 m
(11 ft). The height of the zone is
approximately between 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
and 2 m (6 ft) off the ground. This
zone starts at approximately the
middle of the vehicle and goes back
5 m (16 ft).
How the System Works
The SBZA symbol lights up in the
side mirrors when the system
detects a moving vehicle in the next
lane over that is in the side blind
zone. This indicates it may be unsafe to change lanes. Before
making a lane change, check the
SBZA display, check mirrors, glance
over your shoulder, and use the turn
signals.
Left Side Mirror
DisplayRight Side Mirror Display
When the vehicle is started, both
outside mirror SBZA displays will
briefly come on to indicate the
system is operating. When the
vehicle is in a forward gear, the left
or right side mirror display will light
up if a moving vehicle is detected in
that blind zone. If the turn signal is
activated in the same direction of a
detected vehicle, this display will
flash as an extra warning not to
change lanes.
SBZA can be disabled through
vehicle personalization. See
“Collision Detection Systems” under
Vehicle Personalization 0122.