
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
34 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Keyless Trunk Opening
Press the touch pad on the rear of
the trunk to open it if the RKE
transmitter is within 1 m (3 ft) of the
trunk.
Keyed Access
To access a vehicle with a dead
transmitter battery, seeDoor Locks
0 38
ii.
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. Programming with a Recognized
Transmitter
A new transmitter can be
programmed to the vehicle when
there is one recognized transmitter.
To program, the vehicle must be off
and all of the transmitters, both
currently recognized and new, must
be with you.
1. Place the recognized transmitter(s) in the transmitter
pocket with the buttons facing
the rear of the vehicle. The
transmitter pocket is inside the
center console storage area.
2. Remove the key lock cylinder cap on the driver door handle.
See Door Locks 038
ii. Insert
the vehicle key of the new
transmitter into the key lock
cylinder on the outside of the
driver door and turn the key
counterclockwise five times
within 10 seconds.
The Driver Information Center
(DIC) displays READY FOR
REMOTE #2, 3, 4 or 5.
3. Place the new transmitter into the transmitter pocket with the
buttons facing the rear of the
vehicle.
4. Press ENGINE START/STOP. When the transmitter is
learned, the DIC will show that
it is ready to program the next
transmitter.
5. Remove the transmitter from the transmitter pocket and
press
KorQ.
To program additional
transmitters, repeat Steps 3–5.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
Keys, Doors, and Windows 35
When all additional transmitters
are programmed, press and
hold ENGINE START/STOP for
12 seconds to exit
programming mode.
6. Put the key back into the transmitter.
Programming without a
Recognized Transmitter
If there are no currently recognized
transmitters available, follow this
procedure to program up to eight
transmitters. This feature is not
available in Canada. This procedure
will take approximately 30 minutes
to complete. The vehicle must be off
and all of the transmitters to be
programmed must be with you. 1. Remove the key lock cylinder cap on the driver door handle.
See Door Locks 038
ii. Insert
the vehicle key of the
transmitter into the key lock
cylinder on the outside of the
driver door and turn the key
counterclockwise five times
within 10 seconds. The Driver Information Center
(DIC) displays REMOTE
LEARN PENDING,
PLEASE WAIT.
2. Wait for 10 minutes until the DIC displays PRESS ENGINE
START BUTTON TO LEARN
and then press ENGINE
START/STOP.
The DIC displays will again
show REMOTE LEARN
PENDING, PLEASE WAIT.
3. Repeat Step 2 two additional times. After the third time, all
previously known transmitters
will no longer work with the
vehicle. Remaining transmitters
can be relearned during the
next steps.
The DIC display should now
show READY FOR REMOTE
# 1.
4. Place the new transmitter intothe transmitter pocket with the
buttons facing toward the rear
of the vehicle. The transmitter
pocket is inside the center
console storage area.
5. Press ENGINE START/STOP. When the transmitter is
learned, the DIC will show that
it is ready to program the next
transmitter.
6. Remove the transmitter from the transmitter pocket and
press
KorQ.
To program additional
transmitters, repeat Steps 4–6.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
36 Keys, Doors, and Windows
When all additional transmitters
are programmed, press and
hold the ENGINE START/
STOP for 12 seconds to exit
programming mode.
7. Return the key back into the transmitter.
Starting the Vehicle with a Low
Transmitter Battery
While trying to start the vehicle,
if the transmitter battery is weak or if
there is interference with the signal,
the DIC may display NO REMOTE
DETECTED or NO REMOTE KEY
WAS DETECTED PLACE KEY IN
TRANSMITTER POCKET THEN
START YOUR 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 rear of the
vehicle. 2. With the vehicle in P (Park) or
N (Neutral), press the brake
pedal and press ENGINE
START/STOP. See Starting the
Engine 0228
ii.
Replace the transmitter battery
as soon as possible.
Battery Replacement
Replace the battery if the REPLACE
BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY
message displays in the DIC. See
Key and Lock Messages 0139
ii.
Caution
When replacing the battery, do
not touch any of the circuitry on
the transmitter. Static from your
body could damage the
transmitter.
The battery is not rechargeable. To
replace the battery:
1. Press the button on the side of the transmitter near the bottom
and pull the key out.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
Keys, Doors, and Windows 37
2. Separate the two halves of thetransmitter using a flat tool
inserted into the area near the
key slot.
3. Remove the battery by pushing
on the battery and sliding it
toward the bottom of the
transmitter.
4. Insert the new battery, positive side facing the back cover.
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.
Remote Vehicle Start
If equipped, this feature allows the
engine to be started from outside
the vehicle.
For the Hybrid vehicle, the engine
will only start if needed for warming
functions or high voltage battery
charging.
/: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 and Ventilated Front
Seats 059
ii.
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
031
ii.
Do not use remote start if the
vehicle is low on fuel.
Starting the Engine Using Remote
Start
To start the engine using the remote
start feature:
1. Press and release
Q.
2. Immediately after completing Step 1, press and hold
/for at
least four 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.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
38 Keys, Doors, and Windows
The engine will continue to run for
10 minutes. After 30 seconds,
repeat the steps if a 10-minute
extension is desired. Remote start
can be extended only once.
Start the vehicle before driving.
Extending Engine Run Time
The engine run time can be
extended by another 10 minutes,
if during the first 10 minutes
Steps 1 and 2 are repeated while
the engine is still running. An
extension can be requested
30 seconds after starting. When the
remote start is extended, the
second 10-minute period is added
on to the first 10 minutes for a total
of 20 minutes.
The remote start can only be
extended once.
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.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 transmitter is in the vehicle.
. 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. The doors
can be unlocked and
opened while the vehicle is
moving. 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
doors should be locked
whenever the vehicle is
driven.
(Continued)

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
Keys, Doors, and Windows 39
Warning (Continued)
.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.
To lock or unlock the doors from the
outside:
. Press
QorKon the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
See Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation 031
ii.
. Use the key in the driver door.
The key lock cylinder is covered
with a cap. To lock or unlock the doors from the
inside:
.
Press
QorKon the power door
lock switch.
. Pull the door handle once to
unlock the door. Pull the handle
again to unlatch it.
If the vehicle loses power, only the
driver door can be locked using
the key.
Keyless Access
The RKE transmitter must be within
1 m (3 ft) of the door being opened.
Press the button on the door handle
to open. See “Keyless Access
Operation” inRemote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation 031
ii.
Key Cylinder Access
To access the driver door key lock
cylinder:
1. Pull the door handle (1) to the open position.
2. Insert the key into the slot (3) on the bottom of the cap (2)
and pry outward.
3. Move the cap (2) rearward and remove.
4. Use the key in the cylinder.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
40 Keys, Doors, and Windows
To replace the cap:1. Pull the door handle to the open position.
2. Insert the two tabs (6) at the back of the cap (7) between
the seal (4) and the metal
base (5).
3. Move the cap forward andpress to snap the cap in place.
4. Release the door handle.
Power Door Locks
Q: Press to lock the doors.
K:Press to unlock the doors.
The indicator light in the switch will
illuminate when the door is locked.
Locking or unlocking the doors will
also lock or unlock the trunk. See
Trunk 042
ii.
Delayed Locking
This feature delays the actual
locking of the doors until
five seconds after all doors are
closed.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
Keys, Doors, and Windows 41
Delayed locking can only be turned
on when the Unlocked Door Anti
Lockout feature has been turned off.
When
Qis pressed on the power
door lock switch with the door open,
a chime will sound three times
indicating that delayed locking is
active.
The doors will then lock
automatically five seconds after all
doors are closed. If a door is
reopened before five seconds have
elapsed, the five-second timer will
reset once all the doors are closed
again.
Press
Qon the door lock switch
again, or press
Qon the RKE
transmitter, to override this feature
and lock the doors immediately.
Delayed locking can be
programmed through the Driver
Information Center (DIC). See
Vehicle Personalization 0145
ii.
Automatic Door Locks
The doors will lock automatically
when all doors are closed, the
ignition is on, and the shift lever is
moved out of P (Park).
To unlock the doors:
.
Press
Kon the power door lock
switch.
. Shift the transmission into
P (Park).
Automatic door locking cannot be
disabled. Automatic door unlocking
can be programmed. See Vehicle
Personalization 0145
ii.
Lockout Protection
If the vehicle is in ACC/
ACCESSORY or ON/RUN/START
and the power door lock switch is
pressed with the driver door open,
all the doors will lock and only the
driver door will unlock.
If the vehicle is off and locking is
requested while a door is open,
when all doors are closed the
vehicle will check for RKE
transmitters inside. If an RKE transmitter is detected and the
number of RKE transmitters inside
has not reduced, the driver door will
unlock and the horn will chirp three
times.
Lockout Protection can be manually
overridden with the driver door open
by pressing and holding
Qon the
power door lock switch.
Unlocked Door Anti-Lockout
If Unlocked Door Anti-Lockout is
turned on and the vehicle is off, the
driver door is open, and locking is
requested, all the doors will lock and
only the driver door will unlock. The
Unlocked Door Anti-Lockout feature
can be turned on or off using the
vehicle personalization menus. See
Vehicle Personalization 0145
ii.
Safety Locks
The rear door safety locks prevent
passengers from opening the rear
doors from inside the vehicle.