Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
72 Seats and Restraints
Rear Seat Driver Side Shown,Passenger Side Similar
On vehicles with second row
seat-mounted side impact airbags,
they are in the sides of the rear
seatback closest to the door.
{Warning
If something is between an
occupant and an airbag, the
airbag might not inflate properly
or it might force the object into
that person causing severe injury
or even death. The path of an
inflating airbag must be kept (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
clear. Do not put anything
between an occupant and an
airbag, and do not attach or put
anything on the steering wheel
hub or on or near any other
airbag covering.
Do not use seat accessories that
block the inflation path of a
seat-mounted side impact airbag.
Never secure anything to the roof
of a vehicle with roof-rail airbags
by routing a rope or tie‐down
through any door or window
opening. If you do, the path of an
inflating roof-rail airbag will be
blocked.
When Should an Airbag
Inflate?
This vehicle is equipped with
airbags. SeeAirbag System 069ii.
Airbags are designed to inflate if the
impact exceeds the specific airbag
system's deployment threshold.
Deployment thresholds are used to predict how severe a crash is likely
to be in time for the airbags to
inflate and help restrain the
occupants. The vehicle has
electronic sensors that help the
airbag system determine the
severity of the impact. Deployment
thresholds can vary with specific
vehicle design.
Frontal airbags are designed to
inflate in moderate to severe frontal
or near frontal crashes to help
reduce the potential for severe
injuries, mainly to the driver's or
front outboard passenger's head
and chest.
Whether the frontal airbags will or
should inflate is not based primarily
on how fast the vehicle is traveling.
It depends on what is hit, the
direction of the impact, and how
quickly the vehicle slows down.
Frontal airbags may inflate at
different crash speeds depending on
whether the vehicle hits an object
straight on or at an angle, and
whether the object is fixed or
moving, rigid or deformable, narrow
or wide.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
74 Seats and Restraints
But airbags would not help in many
types of collisions, primarily
because the occupant's motion is
not toward those airbags. SeeWhen
Should an Airbag Inflate? 072
ii.
Airbags should never be regarded
as anything more than a supplement
to safety belts.
What Will You See after
an Airbag Inflates?
After the frontal airbags and
seat-mounted side impact airbags
inflate, they quickly deflate, so
quickly that some people may not
even realize an airbag inflated.
Roof-rail airbags may still be at least
partially inflated for some time after
they inflate. Some components of
the airbag module may be hot for
several minutes. For location of the
airbags, see Where Are the
Airbags? 071
ii.
The parts of the airbag that come
into contact with you may be warm,
but not too hot to touch. There may
be some smoke and dust coming
from the vents in the deflated
airbags. Airbag inflation does not prevent the driver from seeing out of
the windshield or being able to steer
the vehicle, nor does it prevent
people from leaving the vehicle.
{Warning
When an airbag inflates, there
may be dust in the air. This dust
could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of
asthma or other breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as
it is safe to do so. If you have
breathing problems but cannot
get out of the vehicle after an
airbag inflates, then get fresh air
by opening a window or a door.
If you experience breathing
problems following an airbag
deployment, you should seek
medical attention.
The vehicle has a feature that may
automatically unlock the doors, turn
on the interior lamps and hazard
warning flashers, and shut off the
fuel system after the airbags inflate. The feature may also activate,
without airbag inflation, after an
event that exceeds a predetermined
threshold. You can lock the doors,
and turn off the interior lamps and
hazard warning flashers by using
the controls for those features.
{Warning
A crash severe enough to inflate
the airbags may have also
damaged important functions in
the vehicle, such as the fuel
system, brake and steering
systems, etc. Even if the vehicle
appears to be drivable after a
moderate crash, there may be
concealed damage that could
make it difficult to safely operate
the vehicle.
Use caution if you should attempt
to restart the engine after a crash
has occurred.
Hybrid vehicles have a high voltage
battery and a standard 12-volt
battery. If an airbag inflates or the
vehicle has been in a crash, the
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
86 Seats and Restraints
Forward-Facing Child Seat
A forward-facing child seat provides
restraint for the child's body with the
harness.Booster Seats
A booster seat is a child restraint
designed to improve the fit of the
vehicle's safety belt system.
A booster seat can also help a child
to see out the window.
Securing an Add-On Child
Restraint in the Vehicle
{Warning
A child can be seriously injured or
killed in a crash if the child
restraint is not properly secured in
the vehicle. Secure the child (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
restraint properly in the vehicle
using the vehicle safety belt or
LATCH system, following the
instructions that came with that
child restraint and the instructions
in this manual.
To help reduce the chance of injury,
the child restraint must be secured
in the vehicle. Child restraint
systems must be secured in vehicle
seats by lap belts or the lap belt
portion of a lap-shoulder belt, or by
the LATCH system. See Lower
Anchors and Tethers for Children
(LATCH System) 088
ii. Children can
be endangered in a crash if the child
restraint is not properly secured in
the vehicle.
When securing an add-on child
restraint, refer to the instructions
that come with the restraint which
may be on the restraint itself or in a
booklet, or both, and to this manual.
The child restraint instructions are
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
Instruments and Controls 103
Key and Lock Messages . . . . . 139
Lamp Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Object Detection SystemMessages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Ride Control System
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Airbag System Messages . . . . 143
Security Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Service Vehicle Messages . . . . 143
Steering System Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Starting the Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Tire Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Transmission Messages . . . . . . 144
Vehicle Reminder Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Window Messages . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 145
Universal Remote System
Universal Remote System . . . . 157
Universal Remote System Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Universal Remote System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Controls
Steering Wheel
Adjustment
To adjust the steering wheel:
1. Pull the lever down.
2. Move the steering wheel up or down.
3. Pull or push the steering wheel closer or away from you.
4. Pull the lever up to lock the steering wheel in place.
Do not adjust the steering wheel
while driving.
Steering Wheel Controls
g: If equipped with OnStar®or a
Bluetooth®system, press to interact
with those systems. See OnStar
Overview 0398
ii,Bluetooth
(Overview) 0182iior Bluetooth
(Infotainment Controls Radio with
Touchscreen) 0188
iior Bluetooth
(Infotainment Controls Radio without
Touchscreen) 0184
ii, or “Bluetooth
(Overview)” in the infotainment
manual.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
Instruments and Controls 145
Vehicle Reminder
Messages
ICE POSSIBLE DRIVE
WITH CARE
This message displays when ice
conditions are possible.
Window Messages
OPEN, THEN CLOSE DRIVER
WINDOW
This message is displayed when the
window needs to be reprogrammed.
If the vehicle's battery has been
recharged or disconnected, you will
need to reprogram the front window
for the express-up feature to work.
SeePower Windows 048
ii.
Vehicle
Personalization
Personalization Menu (Radio
without Touchscreen)
The audio system controls are used
to access the personalization
menus for customizing vehicle
features.
The following are all possible
personalization features. Depending
on the vehicle, some may not be
available.
MENU : Turn to scroll through the
menus or setup items. Press to
enter the menus and select the
menu items.
BACK : Press to exit or return to
the previous screen or menu.
To access a menu:
1. Press MENU.
2. Turn MENU to the desired menu.
3. Press MENU to select.
Menus and functions may vary
depending on vehicle options. Entering the Personalization
Menus
Select Settings from the home page.
The following menus may be
available:
.
Phone Connection (MTP Only)
. Time and Date
. Tone Settings
. Auto Volume Control
. Maximum Startup Volume
. Vehicle Settings
Phone Connection (MTP Only)
Select and the following may
display:
.Charging Only
. Scan Music Folder Only
. Scan All Folder
Charging Only
This feature will charge a Media
Transfer Protocol (MTP) device
when connected to the USB port.
Bluetooth
®audio will be
unavailable.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
146 Instruments and Controls
Turn MENU to highlight, then press
to select.
Scan Music Folder Only
This feature will scan and index
music folders on an MTP device
when connected to the USB port.
Turn MENU to highlight, then press
to select.
Scan All Folder
This feature will scan and index all
folders on a MTP device when
connected to the USB port.
Turn MENU to highlight, then press
to select.
Time and Date
Select Time and Date to adjust the
clock. SeeClock0106ii.
Tone Settings
Select to set the radio tone. See
“Tone Settings” under“Radio
Controls without Touchscreen” in
Operation 0173
ii.
Auto Volume Control
This feature automatically adjusts
the radio volume based on the
speed of the vehicle.
Select the desired value.
Maximum Startup Volume
When the vehicle is started and the
radio volume is greater than this set
level, the volume is adjusted to this
level.
Select the desired value.
Vehicle Settings
Select and the following may
display:
.
Climate and Air Quality
. Comfort and Convenience
. Languages
. Lighting
. Power Door Locks
. Remote Lock, Unlock, Start
. Return to Factory Settings
. Software Information
. Valet Mode
Climate and Air Quality
Select and the following may
display:
.Auto Fan Speed
. Air Quality Sensor
. Auto Defog
. Auto Rear Defog
Auto Fan Speed
This adjusts the blower level during
automatic operation.
Select Low, Medium, or High.
Air Quality Sensor
This automatically selects
recirculate when certain gases are
detected.
Select Off, Low Sensitivity, or High
Sensitivity.
Auto Defog
This allows the climate control
system to prevent fog on the inside
of the windows. See “Auto Defog”in
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System 0209
ii.
Select Off or On.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
Instruments and Controls 147
Auto Rear Defog
This allows the rear window
defogger to turn on automatically
when the interior temperature is cold
and the outside temperature is
about 7 °C (44 °F) and below. See
“Rear Window Defogger”inDual
Automatic Climate Control System
0 209
ii.
Select Off or On.
Comfort and Convenience
Select and the following may
display:
. Auto Memory Recall
. Easy Exit Options
. Chime Volume
. Reverse Tilt Mirror
. Extended Hill Start Assist
Auto Memory Recall
This feature automatically recalls
the current driver ’s previously stored
1 or 2 positions when the ignition is
changed from OFF to ON/RUN/
START or ACCESSORY. See
Memory Seats 058
ii. Select Off or On.
Easy Exit Options
This feature automatically recalls
the current driver
’s previously stored
Exit button position when exiting the
vehicle. See Memory Seats 058
ii.
Select Off or On.
Chime Volume
Select to set the chime volume
level.
Reverse Tilt Mirror
When on, both the driver and
passenger, driver, or passenger
mirrors will tilt downward when the
vehicle is shifted to R (Reverse) to
improve visibility of the ground near
the rear wheels. They will return to
their previous driving position when
the vehicle is shifted out of
R (Reverse) or the ignition is turned
to OFF.
Select Off, On - Driver and
Passenger, On - Driver, or On -
Passenger. Extended Hill Start Assist
This allows the duration of the Hill
Start Assist to be changed. See
“Extended Hill Start Assist (EHSA)”
in
Hill Start Assist (HSA) 0240
ii.
Select Extended Hold or
Standard Hold.
Languages
Select, then select from the
available language(s).
Lighting
Select the Lighting menu and the
following may be displayed:
. Exit Lighting
Exit Lighting
Select to set how long the exterior
lamps stay on when leaving the
vehicle and it is dark outside. See
Exit Lighting 0166
ii.
Select the desired time.
Power Door Locks
Select and the following may
display:
. Unlocked Door Anti Lock Out
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
152 Instruments and Controls
Select Low, Medium, or High.
Auto Defog
This allows the climate control
system to prevent fog on the inside
of the windows. See“Auto Defog”in
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System 0209
ii.
Select Off or On.
Auto Rear Defog
This allows the rear window
defogger to turn on automatically
when the interior temperature is cold
and the outside temperature is
about 7 °C (44 °F) and below. See
“Rear Window Defogger” inDual
Automatic Climate Control System
0 209
ii.
Select Off or On.
Collision/Detection Systems
Select and the following may
display:
. Auto Collision Preparation
. Front Pedestrian Detection
. Park Assist
. Rear Cross Traffic Alert .
Go Notifier
. Lane Change Alert
Auto Collision Preparation
This feature will turn on or off the
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) and
Front Automatic Braking (FAB). The
Off setting disables all FCA and
FAB functions. With the Alert and
Brake setting, both FCA and FAB
are available. The Alert setting
disables FAB, but if the vehicle has
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC),
some last-second automatic braking
capability is still provided, though
less likely to occur. See Front
Automatic Braking (FAB) System
0 259ii.
Select Off, Alert, or Alert and Brake.
Front Pedestrian Detection
This feature may help avoid or
reduce the harm caused by
front-end crashes with nearby
pedestrians.
See Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB)
System 0261
ii.
Select Off, Alert, or Alert and Brake. Park Assist
This allows the feature to be turned
on or off. See
Assistance Systems
for Parking or Backing 0253
ii.
Select Off or On.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
This allows the feature to be turned
on or off. See Assistance Systems
for Parking or Backing 0253
ii.
Select Off or On.
Go Notifier
This feature will give a reminder that
Adaptive Cruise Control provides
when it has brought the vehicle to a
complete stop behind another
stopping vehicle, and then that
vehicle drives on. See Adaptive
Cruise Control 0246
ii.
Select Off or On.
Lane Change Alert
This allows the feature to be turned
on or off. See Lane Change Alert
(LCA) 0263
ii.
Select Off or On.