Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
Introduction 3
{Danger
Danger indicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result
in serious injury or death.
{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
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
30 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Keys, Doors, and
Windows
Keys and Locks
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . 37
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . 41
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Doors
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Vehicle Security
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Vehicle Alarm System . . . . . . . . . 44
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Immobilizer Operation . . . . . . . . . 45
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Reverse Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Interior Mirrors
Interior Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . 48
Manual Rearview Mirror . . . . . . . . 48
Automatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Windows
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Roof
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Keys and Locks
Keys
{Warning
Leaving children in a vehicle with
a Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter is dangerous and
children or others could be
seriously injured or killed. They
could operate the power windows
or other controls or make the
vehicle move. The windows will
function 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 an RKE
transmitter.
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
42 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Manual Safety Locks
If equipped, the safety lock is
located on the inside edge of the
rear doors. To use the safety lock:1. Move the lever forward to the lock position.
2. Close the door.
3. Do the same for the other rear door.
To open a rear door when the safety
lock is on: 1. Unlock the door by activating
the inside handle, using the
power door lock switch, or the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter.
2. Open the door from the outside.
When the safety lock is enabled,
adults and older children will not be
able to open the rear door from the
inside. Cancel the safety locks to
enable the doors to open from the
inside.
To cancel the safety lock: 1. Unlock the door and open it from the outside.
2. Move the lever rearward to unlock. Do the same for the
other door.
Doors
Trunk
{Warning
Exhaust gases can enter the
vehicle if it is driven with the
liftgate, hatch/trunk open, or with
any objects that pass through the
seal between the body and the
hatch/trunk or liftgate. Engine
exhaust contains carbon
monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle must be driven with
the liftgate or hatch/trunk open:
. Close all of the windows.
. Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
. Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air
and set the fan speed to the
(Continued)
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
48 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Interior Mirrors
Interior Rearview Mirrors
Adjust the rearview mirror for a clear
view of the area behind the vehicle.
Do not spray glass cleaner directly
on the mirror. Use a soft towel
dampened with water.
Manual Rearview Mirror
If equipped, push the tab forward for
daytime use and pull it rearward for
nighttime use to avoid glare of the
headlamps from behind.
Automatic Dimming
Rearview Mirror
If equipped, automatic dimming
reduces the glare of headlamps
from behind. The dimming feature
comes on when the vehicle is
started.
Windows
{Warning
Never leave a child, a helpless
adult, or a pet alone in a vehicle,
especially with the windows
closed in warm or hot weather.
They can be overcome by the
extreme heat and suffer
permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke.
The vehicle aerodynamics are
designed to improve fuel economy
performance. This may result in apulsing sound when either rear
window is down and the front
windows are up. To reduce the
sound, open either a front window
or the sunroof, if equipped.
Power Windows
{Warning
Children could be seriously
injured or killed if caught in the
path of a closing window. Never
leave keys in a vehicle with
children. When there are children
in the rear seat, use the window
lockout button to prevent
operation of the windows. See
Keys
030
ii.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
Seats and Restraints 55
To lower the head restraint, press
the button, located on the top of the
seatback, and push the head
restraint down. Try to move the
head restraint after the button is
released to make sure that it is
locked in place.
If you are installing a child restraint
in the rear seat, see "Securing a
Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System" underLower
Anchors and Tethers for Children
(LATCH System) 088
ii.
Front Seats
Seat Adjustment
{Warning
You can lose control of the
vehicle if you try to adjust a driver
seat while the vehicle is moving.
Adjust the driver seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.
To adjust a manual seat:
1. Pull the handle at the front of the seat. 2. Slide the seat to the desired
position and release the
handle.
3. Try to move the seat back and forth to be sure it is locked in
place.
Manual Seat Height Adjuster
Move the lever on the outboard side
of the seat up or down to manually
adjust the seat height.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
Seats and Restraints 65
pelvic bones and you would be
less likely to slide under the lap
belt. If you slid under it, the belt
would apply force on your
abdomen. This could cause
serious or even fatal injuries.
. Wear the shoulder belt over the
shoulder and across the chest.
These parts of the body are best
able to take belt restraining
forces. The shoulder belt locks if
there is a sudden stop or crash.
{Warning
You can be seriously injured,
or even killed, by not wearing
your safety belt properly.
. Never allow the lap or
shoulder belt to become
loose or twisted.
. Never wear the shoulder
belt under both arms or
behind your back.
. Never route the lap or
shoulder belt over an
armrest.
Lap-Shoulder Belt
All seating positions in the vehicle
have a lap-shoulder belt.
If you are using a rear seating
position with a detachable safety
belt and the safety belt is not
attached, see Rear Seats061
iifor
instructions on reconnecting the
safety belt to the mini-buckle.
The following instructions explain
how to wear a lap-shoulder belt
properly.
1. Adjust the seat, if the seat is adjustable, so you can sit up
straight. To see how, see
“Seats” in the Index.
2. Pick up the latch plate and pull
the belt across you. Do not let
it get twisted.
The lap-shoulder belt may lock
if you pull the belt across you
very quickly. If this happens, let
the belt go back slightly to
unlock it. Then pull the belt
across you more slowly.
If the shoulder portion of a
passenger belt is pulled out all
the way, the child restraint
locking feature may be
engaged. If this happens, let
the belt go back all the way
and start again.