Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
Lighting 167
the OFF position. The exterior
lamps and dome lamp remain on for
a set amount of time, then
automatically turn off.
The exterior lamps turn off
immediately by turning the exterior
lamp control off.
This feature can be changed. See
Vehicle Personalization0145
ii.
Battery Load
Management
The vehicle has Electric Power
Management (EPM), which
estimates the battery's temperature
and state of charge. It then adjusts
the voltage for best performance
and extended life of the battery.
When the battery's state of charge
is low, the voltage is raised slightly
to quickly bring the charge back up.
When the state of charge is high,
the voltage is lowered slightly to
prevent overcharging. If the vehicle
has a voltage display on the Driver
Information Center (DIC), you may see the voltage move up or down.
This is normal. If there is a problem,
an alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at
idle if the electrical loads are very
high. This is true for all vehicles.
This is because the generator
(alternator) may not be spinning fast
enough at idle to produce all the
power that is needed for very high
electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when
several of the following are on, such
as: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger,
climate control fan at high speed,
heated seats, engine cooling fans,
trailer loads, and loads plugged into
accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive
discharge of the battery. It does this
by balancing the generator's output
and the vehicle's electrical needs.
It can increase engine idle speed to
generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce
the power demands of some
accessories.Normally, these actions occur in
steps or levels, without being
noticeable. In rare cases at the
highest levels of corrective action,
this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a DIC message might
be displayed and it is recommended
that the driver reduce the electrical
loads as much as possible. See
Battery Voltage and Charging
Messages
0136
ii.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
180 Infotainment System
interfere with radio reception. When
this happens, try reducing the treble
on the radio.
SiriusXM Satellite Radio
Service
If equipped, SiriusXM Satellite
Radio Service provides digital radio
reception. Tall buildings or hills can
interfere with satellite radio signals,
causing the sound to fade in and
out. In addition, traveling or standing
under heavy foliage, bridges,
garages, or tunnels may cause loss
of the SiriusXM signal for a period
of time.
Cell Phone Usage
Cell phone usage, such as making
or receiving phone calls, charging,
or just having the phone on may
cause static interference with the
radio. Unplug the phone or turn it off
if this happens.
Backglass Antenna
The AM-FM antenna is integrated
with the rear window defogger,
located in the rear window. Make
sure that the inside surface of therear window is not scratched and
that the lines on the glass are not
damaged. If the inside surface is
damaged, it could interfere with
radio reception. For proper radio
reception, the antenna connector
needs to be properly attached to the
post on the glass.
If a cellular telephone antenna
needs to be attached to the glass,
make sure that the grid lines for the
AM-FM antenna are not damaged.
There is enough space between the
grid lines to attach a cellular
telephone antenna without
interfering with radio reception.
Caution
Using a razor blade or sharp
object to clear the inside rear
window can damage the rear
window antenna and/or the rear
window defogger. Repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Do not clear the inside
rear window with sharp objects.
Caution
Do not apply aftermarket glass
tinting with metallic film. The
metallic film in some tinting
materials will interfere with or
distort the incoming radio
reception. Any damage caused to
the backglass antenna due to
metallic tinting materials will not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Multi-Band Antenna
The multi-band antenna is on the
roof of the vehicle. The antenna is
used for OnStar, the SiriusXM
Satellite Radio Service System, and
GPS (Global Positioning System),
if the vehicle has these features.
Keep the antenna clear of
obstructions for clear reception.
If the vehicle has a sunroof, and it is
open, reception can also be
affected.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
206 Climate Controls
Climate Controls
Climate Control Systems
Climate Control Systems . . . . . 206
Dual Automatic ClimateControl System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Air Vents
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Maintenance
Passenger Compartment AirFilter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Climate Control Systems
The heating, cooling, and ventilation for the vehicle can be controlled with
this system.
1. Fan Control
2. MAX Defrost
3. A/C (Air Conditioning) or Max/
Eco Air Conditioning (Stop/
Start Only)
4. TEMP (Temperature Control)
5. Driver and Passenger Heated Seats (If Equipped)
6. Recirculation 7. Air Delivery Mode Controls
8. Rear Window Defogger
TEMP : Turn the knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the temperature setting.
^: Turn the knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the fan speed or turn the
fan off.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
Climate Controls 207
Air Delivery Mode Controls :
Press the air delivery mode buttons
to change the direction of the
airflow. The indicator light in the
selected button will turn on. The
current mode appears in the display
screen.
To change the current mode, select
one or more of the following modes:
0:Clears the windows of fog or
moisture. Air is directed to the
windshield.
{: Air is directed to the
instrument panel outlets.
z: Air is directed to the floor
outlets.
0MAX : Air is directed to the
windshield and the fan runs at a
higher speed. This mode overrides
the previous mode selected and
clears fog or frost from the
windshield more quickly. When the
button is pressed again, the system
returns to the previous mode setting
and fan speed.
For best results, clear all snow and
ice from the windshield before
defrosting. A/C :
Press to turn the air
conditioning system on or off. If the
climate control system is turned off
or the outside temperature falls
below freezing, the air conditioner
will not run.
A/C (Max/Eco Air Conditioning)
(For Stop/Start Vehicles) : Press
to cycle between the off, eco, and
max air conditioning modes. The
indicator will be lit in max and eco
modes and turns off when there is
no A/C function. If the fan is turned
off, the air conditioner will not run
and the indicator light may turn off.
For max a/c, press A/C. The
indicator will turn amber.
For eco a/c, press A/C again. The
indicator will turn green. This setting
balances fuel economy and air
conditioning comfort. In warm
weather conditions, auto stops may
occur more frequently and the
vehicle interior may be warmer as
compared to the max air
conditioning setting. This setting
allows higher humidity inside the
vehicle and window fogging before
the engine restarts.
@: Press to turn on recirculation.
An indicator light comes on. Air is
recirculated to quickly cool the
inside of the vehicle or to reduce the
entry of outside air and odors.
Rear Window Defogger
K: Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. An indicator light
on the button comes on to show that
the rear window defogger is on. The
defogger turns off when the ignition
is placed in the ACC/ACCESSORY
or LOCK/OFF position.
The upper lines on the rear window
are antenna grids and are not
intended to defrost the glass.
The rear window defogger can be
set to automatic operation. See
“Climate and Air Quality” under
Vehicle Personalization 0145
ii.
When Auto Rear Defog is selected,
the rear window defogger turns on
automatically when the interior
temperature is cold and the outside
temperature is about 7 °C (44 °F)
and below. The auto rear defogger
turns off automatically.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
208 Climate Controls
If the vehicle is equipped with
heated outside rearview mirrors,
they turn on when the rear window
defogger button is on and help to
clear fog or frost from the surface of
the mirror. SeeHeated Mirrors 047
ii.
Caution
Do not try to clear frost or other
material from the inside of the
front windshield and rear window
with a razor blade or anything
else that is sharp. This may
damage the rear window
defogger grid and affect the
radio's ability to pick up stations
clearly. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
LorM:If equipped, pressLorMto heat the driver or passenger seat
cushion. See Heated and Ventilated
Front Seats 059
ii.
Remote Start Climate Control
Operation : If equipped with remote
start, the climate control system
may run when the vehicle is started
remotely. The system uses the driver
’s previous settings to heat or
cool the inside of the vehicle. The
rear defog may come on during
remote start based on cold ambient
conditions. The rear defog indicator
light does not come on during a
remote start. The front heated seats
will turn on if it is cold outside. The
heated seat indicator lights do not
come on during a remote start.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
Climate Controls 209
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation for the vehicle can be controlled with
this system.
1. Driver and PassengerVentilated Seats (If Equipped)
2. Driver and Passenger Temperature Controls
3. MAX Defrost
4. Fan Controls
5. AUTO (Automatic Operation)
6. A/C (Air Conditioning) or Max/ Eco Air Conditioning (Stop/
Start Only) 7. Driver and Passenger Heated
Seats (If Equipped)
8. SYNC
9. Recirculation
10. Power (On/Off)
11. Air Delivery Mode Controls
12. Rear Window Defogger Automatic Operation
The system automatically controls
the fan speed, air delivery, air
conditioning, and recirculation in
order to heat or cool the vehicle to
the desired temperature.
When the AUTO indicator light is
on, the system is in full automatic
operation. If the air delivery mode is
selected, the AUTO air delivery
mode indicator turns off. If the fan
speed setting is adjusted, the AUTO
fan speed indicator turns off. The
selected settings will appear on the
display.
To place the system in
automatic mode:
1. Press AUTO.
2. Set the temperature. Allow the system time to stabilize. Adjust
the temperature as needed for
best comfort.
To improve fuel efficiency and to
cool the vehicle faster with A/C on,
recirculation may be automatically
selected in warm weather. Press
@to select recirculation; press it
again to select outside air.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
210 Climate Controls
Driver and Passenger
Temperature Controls :The
temperature can be adjusted
separately for the driver and the
passenger. Turn the knob clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the driver or passenger
temperature setting.
SYNC : Press to link the passenger
temperature settings to the driver
setting. The SYNC indicator light will
turn on. When the passenger
settings are adjusted, the SYNC
indicator light turns off.
Manual Operation
O: Press to turn the fan off or on.
^Qor^ R:Press to increase or
decrease the fan speed. The fan
speed setting appears on the main
display. When the fan speed is
decreased completely, the fan turns
off. Pressing either button cancels
automatic fan control and the fan is
controlled manually. Press AUTO to
return to automatic operation.
Air Delivery Mode Controls :
Press the air delivery mode buttons
to change the direction of the airflow. The indicator light in the
button will turn on. The current
mode appears in the display screen.
Pressing either button cancels
automatic air delivery control and
the direction of the airflow is
controlled manually. Press AUTO to
return to automatic operation.
To change the current mode, select
one or more of the following modes:
0:
Clears the windows of fog or
moisture. Air is directed to the
windshield.
d: Air is directed to the instrument
panel outlets.
c: Air is directed to the floor
outlets.
0MAX : Air is directed to the
windshield, the fan runs at a higher
speed, and the temperature of the
air is increased if not already at
maximum. This mode overrides the
previous mode selected and clears
fog or frost from the windshield
more quickly. When the button is
pressed again, the system returns
to the previous mode setting and
fan speed. For best results, clear all snow and
ice from the windshield before
defrosting.
A/C :
Press to turn the air
conditioning system on or off. If the
climate control system is turned off
or the outside temperature falls
below freezing, the air conditioner
will not run.
Pressing this button cancels
automatic air conditioning and turns
off the air conditioner. Press AUTO
to return to automatic operation and
the air conditioner runs
automatically as needed. When the
indicator light is on, the air
conditioner runs automatically to
cool the air inside the vehicle or to
dry the air needed to defog the
windshield faster.
A/C (Max/Eco Air Conditioning)
(For Stop/Start Vehicles) : Press
to cycle between the off, eco, and
max air conditioning modes. The
indicator will be lit in max and eco
modes and turns off when there is
no A/C function. If the fan is turned
off, the air conditioner will not run
and the indicator light may turn off.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
Climate Controls 211
Press AUTO to return to automatic
operation and the air conditioner
runs automatically as needed. With
Stop/Start vehicles, the A/C will
return to eco a/c operation.
For max a/c, press A/C. The
indicator will turn amber.
For eco a/c, press A/C again. The
indicator will turn green. This setting
balances fuel economy and air
conditioning comfort. In warm
weather conditions, auto stops may
occur more frequently and the
vehicle interior may be warmer as
compared to the max air
conditioning setting. This setting
allows higher humidity inside the
vehicle and window fogging before
the engine restarts.
@:Press to turn on recirculation.
An indicator light comes on. Air is
recirculated to quickly cool the
inside of the vehicle or to reduce the
entry of outside air and odors.
If selected during cool or cold
weather, the windshield and
windows may fog. Turn off
recirculation to help clear the
windshield and windows. Auto Defog :
The climate control
system may have a sensor to
automatically detect high humidity
inside the vehicle. When high
humidity is detected, the climate
control system may adjust to
outside air supply and turn on the
air conditioner. The fan speed may
slightly increase to help prevent
fogging. If the climate control
system does not detect possible
window fogging, it returns to normal
operation.
To turn Auto Defog off or on, see
“Climate and Air Quality” under
Vehicle Personalization 0145
ii.
Rear Window Defogger
K:Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. An indicator light
on the button comes on to show that
the rear window defogger is on. The
rear window defogger only works
when the ignition is in ON/RUN. The
defogger turns off when the ignition
is placed in the ACC/ACCESSORY
or LOCK/OFF position.
The upper lines on the rear window
are antenna grids and are not
intended to defrost the glass. The rear window defogger can be
set to automatic operation. See
“Climate and Air Quality”
under
Vehicle Personalization 0145
ii.
When Auto Rear Defog is selected,
the rear window defogger turns on
automatically when the interior
temperature is cold and the outside
temperature is about 7 °C (44 °F)
and below. The auto rear defogger
turns off automatically.
If the vehicle is equipped with
heated outside rearview mirrors,
they turn on when the rear window
defogger button is on and help to
clear fog or frost from the surface of
the mirror. See Heated Mirrors 047
ii.
Caution
Do not try to clear frost or other
material from the inside of the
front windshield and rear window
with a razor blade or anything
else that is sharp. This may
damage the rear window
defogger grid and affect the
(Continued)