
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 6/1/16
8 In Brief
Initial Drive
Information
This section provides a briefoverview about some of theimportant features that may or maynot be on your specific vehicle.
For more detailed information, referto each of the features which can befound later in this owner manual.
Stop/Start System
The vehicle may have a fuel savingstop/start system to shut off theengine and help conserve fuel.
When the brakes are applied andthe vehicle is at a complete stop,the engine may turn off. When thebrake pedal is released or theaccelerator pedal is pressed, theengine will restart. SeeStarting theEngine0227.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)transmitter may work up to 60 m(197 ft) away from the vehicle.
With Remote Start Shown
K:Press to unlock the driver dooror all doors, depending on thevehicle personalization setting.
Q:Press to lock all doors.
Lock and unlock feedback can bepersonalized.
X:Press twice quickly to open thetrunk.
7:Press and release one time toinitiate vehicle locator. Press andhold for at least three seconds tosound the panic alarm. Press againto cancel the panic alarm.
SeeKeys031andRemote KeylessEntry (RKE) System Operation032.
Remote Vehicle Start
If equipped, the engine can bestarted from outside of the vehicle.
Starting the Vehicle
1. Press and releaseQon the
RKE transmitter.
2. Immediately, press and hold/
for at least four seconds or untilthe turn signal lamps flash.
3. Start the vehicle normally afterentering.
When the vehicle starts, the parkinglamps will turn on.
For the hybrid vehicle, the enginewill only start if needed for warmingfunctions or high voltage batterycharging.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Keys, Doors, and Windows 35
untilQon the interior door is
pressed, or until the vehicle isturned on.
Remote Left In Vehicle Alert
When the vehicle is turned off and aremote is left in the vehicle, the hornwill chirp three times after all doorsare closed. To turn on or off seeVehicle Personalization0147.
Remote No Longer In Vehicle Alert
If the vehicle is on, with a dooropen, and then all doors are closed,the vehicle will check for an RKEtransmitter(s) inside. If an RKEtransmitter is not detected, the DICwill display NO REMOTEDETECTED and the horn will chirpthree times.
This occurs only once each time thevehicle is driven. SeeVehiclePersonalization0147
Keyless Trunk Opening
Press the touch pad on the rear ofthe trunk to open it if the RKEtransmitter is within 1 m (3 ft) of thetrunk.
Keyed Access
To a c c e s s a v e h i c l e w i t h a d e a dtransmitter battery, seeDoorLocks040.
Programming Transmitters to
the Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmedto the vehicle will work. If atransmitter is lost or stolen, areplacement can be purchased andprogrammed through your dealer.The vehicle can be reprogrammedso that lost or stolen transmitters nolonger work. Any remainingtransmitters will need to bereprogrammed. Each vehicle canhave up to eight transmittersmatched to it.
Programming with RecognizedTransmitters
Anewtransmittercanbeprogrammed to the vehicle whenthere are two recognizedtransmitters. To program, the vehiclemust be off and all of thetransmitters, both currentlyrecognized and new, must bewith you.
1. Place the two recognizedtransmitter(s) in the transmitterpocket with the buttons facingthe rear of the vehicle. Thetransmitter pocket is inside thecenter console storage area.
2. Remove the key lock cylindercap on the driver door handle.SeeDoor Locks040.Insertthe vehicle key of the newtransmitter into the key lockcylinder on the outside of thedriver door and turn the keycounterclockwise five timeswithin 10 seconds.
The Driver Information Center(DIC) displays READY FORREMOTE #2, 3, 4 or 5.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
36 Keys, Doors, and Windows
3. Place the new transmitter intothe transmitter pocket with thebuttons facing the rear of thevehicle.
4. Press ENGINE START/STOP.When the transmitter islearned, the DIC will show thatit is ready to program the nexttransmitter.
5. Remove the transmitter fromthe transmitter pocket and
pressKorQ.
To p r o g r a m a d d i t i o n a ltransmitters, repeat Steps 3–5.
When all additional transmittersare programmed, press andhold ENGINE START/STOP for12 seconds to exitprogramming mode.
6. Put the key back into thetransmitter.
Programming without RecognizedTransmitters
If two currently recognizedtransmitters are not available, followthis procedure to program up toeight transmitters. This feature isnot available in Canada. Thisprocedure will take approximately30 minutes to complete. The vehiclemust be off and all of thetransmitters to be programmed mustbe with you.
1. Remove the key lock cylindercap on the driver door handle.SeeDoor Locks040.Insertthe vehicle key of thetransmitter into the key lockcylinder on the outside of thedriver door and turn the keycounterclockwise five timeswithin 10 seconds.
The Driver Information Center(DIC) displays REMOTELEARN PENDING,PLEASE WAIT.
2. Wait for 10 minutes until theDIC displays PRESS ENGINESTART BUTTON TO LEARNand then press ENGINESTART/STOP.
The DIC displays will againshow REMOTE LEARNPENDING, PLEASE WAIT.
3. Repeat Step 2 two additionaltimes. After the third time, allpreviously known transmitterswill no longer work with thevehicle. Remaining transmitterscan be relearned during thenext steps.
The DIC display should nowshow READY FOR REMOTE#1.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
40 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Conditions in Which Remote StartWill Not Work
The remote vehicle start feature willnot operate if:
.Atransmitterisinthevehicle.
.The hood is not closed.
.The hazard warning flashersare on.
.The malfunction indicator lampis on.
.The engine coolant temperatureis too high.
.The oil pressure is low.
.Tw o r e m o t e v e h i c l e s t a r t s , o r asingle remote start with anextension, have alreadybeen used.
.The vehicle is not in P (Park).
Door Locks
{Warning
Unlocked doors can be
dangerous.
.Passengers, especiallychildren, can easily openthe doors and fall out of amoving vehicle. The doorscan be unlocked andopened while the vehicle ismoving. The chance ofbeing thrown out of thevehicle in a crash isincreased if the doors arenot locked. So, allpassengers should wearsafety belts properly and thedoors should be lockedwhenever the vehicle isdriven.
.Yo u n g c h i l d r e n w h o g e t i n t ounlocked vehicles may beunable to get out. A childcan be overcome byextreme heat and can sufferpermanent injuries or even
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
death from heat stroke.Always lock the vehiclewhenever leaving it.
.Outsiders can easily enterthrough an unlocked doorwhen you slow down or stopthe vehicle. Locking thedoors can help prevent thisfrom happening.
To l o c k o r u n l o c k t h e d o o r s f r o m t h eoutside:
.PressQorKon the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.SeeRemote Keyless Entry(RKE) System Operation032.
.Use the key in the driver door.The key lock cylinder is coveredwith a cap.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Instruments and Controls 161
be required. For a secondtime, press and hold thenewly programmed buttonfor five seconds. If the lightstays on or the garage doormoves, programming iscomplete.
.If the indicator light blinksrapidly for two seconds,then changes to a solid lightand the garage door doesnot move, continue withprogramming Steps 4–6.
Learn or Smart Button
4. After completing Steps 1–3,locate the Learn or Smartbutton inside garage on thegarage door opener receiver.
The name and color of thebutton may vary bymanufacturer.
5. Press and release the Learn orSmart button. Step 6 must becompleted within 30 seconds ofpressing this button.
6. Inside the vehicle, press andhold the newly programmedUniversal Remote systembutton for two seconds andthen release it. If the garagedoor does not move or thelamp on the garage dooropener receiver does not flash,press and hold the samebutton a second time fortwo seconds, then release it.Again, if the door does notmove or the garage door lampdoes not flash, press and holdthe same button a third time fortwo seconds, then release it.
The Universal Remote systemshould now activate thegarage door.
Repeat the process forprogramming the two remainingbuttons.
Radio Signals for Canada and
Some Gate Operators
For questions or programming helpcall 1-800-355-3515 or seewww.homelink.com.
Canadian radio-frequency laws andsome U.S. gate operators requiretransmitter signals to time out or quitafter several seconds oftransmission. This may not be longenough for the Universal Remotesystem to pick up the signal duringprogramming.
If the programming did not work,replace Step 2 under“Programmingthe Universal Remote System”withthe following:
Press and hold the UniversalRemote system button whilepressing and releasing thehand-held transmitter button everytwo seconds until the signal hasbeen successfully accepted by theUniversal Remote system. TheUniversal Remote system indicatorlight will flash slowly at first and thenrapidly. Proceed with Step 3 under“Programming the Universal RemoteSystem”to complete.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Lighting 169
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting
Some exterior lamps and most ofthe interior lamps turn on briefly atnight or in areas with limited lightingwhen the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitterKbutton is
pressed. SeeRemote Keyless Entry(RKE) System Operation032.Afterabout 30 seconds the exterior lampsturn off, then the dome lamps andremaining interior lamps dim to off.Entry lighting can be disabledmanually by changing the ignitionout of the OFF position, or by
pressing the RKE transmitterQ
button.
This feature can be changed. SeeVehicle Personalization0147.
Exit Lighting
Some exterior lamps and interiorlights come on at night, or in areaswith limited lighting, when the driverdoor is opened after the ignition isturned off. The dome lamp comeson after the ignition is changed to
the OFF position. The exteriorlamps and dome lamp remain on forasetamountoftime,thenautomatically turn off.
The exterior lamps turn offimmediately by turning the exteriorlamp control off.
This feature can be changed. SeeVehicle Personalization0147.
Battery Load
Management
The vehicle has Electric PowerManagement (EPM), whichestimates the battery's temperatureand state of charge. It then adjuststhe voltage for best performanceand extended life of the battery.
When the battery's state of chargeis low, the voltage is raised slightlyto quickly bring the charge back up.When the state of charge is high,the voltage is lowered slightly toprevent overcharging. If the vehiclehas a voltage display on the DriverInformation 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 atidle if the electrical loads are veryhigh. This is true for all vehicles.This is because the generator(alternator) may not be spinning fastenough at idle to produce all thepower that is needed for very highelectrical loads.
Ahighelectricalloadoccurswhenseveral of the following are on, suchas: headlamps, high beams, foglamps, rear window defogger,climate control fan at high speed,heated seats, engine cooling fans,trailer loads, and loads plugged intoaccessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessivedischarge of the battery. It does thisby balancing the generator's outputand the vehicle's electrical needs.It can increase engine idle speed togenerate more power, wheneverneeded. It can temporarily reducethe power demands of someaccessories.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Climate Controls 211
defogger button is on and help toclear fog or frost from the surface ofthe mirror. SeeHeated Mirrors049.
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.
Driver and Passenger Heated andVentilated Seats :If equipped,
pressLorMto heat the driver or
passenger seat.
If equipped, press{orCto
ventilate the driver or passengerseat. SeeHeated and VentilatedFront Seats060.
Remote Start Climate ControlOperation :If equipped with remotestart, the climate control systemmay run when the vehicle is startedremotely. The system will use thedefrost setting if it is cold outside orturn on using the coldest settings ifit is hot outside. The rear defog maycome on during remote start basedon cold ambient conditions. Therear defog indicator light does notcome on during a remote start. Thefront heated seats will turn on if it iscold outside. The heated seatindicator lights do not come onduring a remote start.
Sensor
The solar sensor, on top of theinstrument panel near thewindshield, monitors the solar heat.
The climate control system uses thesensor information to adjust thetemperature, fan speed,recirculation, and air delivery modefor best comfort.
Do not cover the sensor; otherwisethe automatic climate control systemmay not work properly.
Air Vents
Use the louvers on the air vents tochange the direction of the airflow,or to open and close off the airflow.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
226 Driving and Operating
Pressing the button cycles it throughthree modes: ACC/ACCESSORY,ON/RUN/START, and Stopping theEngine/LOCK/OFF.
The RKE transmitter must be in thevehicle for the system to operate.If the pushbutton start is notworking, the vehicle may be near astrong radio antenna signal causinginterference to the Keyless Accesssystem. SeeRemote Keyless Entry(RKE) System Operation032.
To s h i f t o u t o f P ( P a r k ) , t h e v e h i c l emust be in ACC/ACCESSORY orON/RUN and the brake pedal mustbe applied.
Stopping the Engine/LOCK/OFF (No Indicator Lights) :Whenthe vehicle is stopped, pressENGINE START/STOP once to turnthe engine off.
If the vehicle is in P (Park), theignition will turn off, and RetainedAccessory Power (RAP) will remainactive. SeeRetained AccessoryPower (RAP)0230.
If the vehicle is not in P (Park), theignition will return to ACC/ACCESSORY and display themessage SHIFT TO PARK in theDriver Information Center (DIC).SeeTr a n s m i s s i o n M e s s a g e s0146.When the vehicle is shifted intoP(Park), the ignition system willswitch to OFF.
Do not turn the engine off when thevehicle is moving. This will cause aloss of power assist in the brakeand steering systems and disablethe airbags.
If the vehicle must be shut off in anemergency:
1. Brake using a firm and steadypressure. Do not pump thebrakes repeatedly. This maydeplete power assist, requiringincreased brake pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral).This can be done while thevehicle is moving. After shiftingto N (Neutral), firmly apply thebrakes and steer the vehicle toasafelocation.
3. Come to a complete stop, shiftto P (Park), and turn theignition to OFF. On vehicleswith an automatic transmission,the shift lever must be inP(Park) to turn the ignitionswitch to the OFF position.
4. Set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake0237.
{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 overand must be shut off while driving,press and hold ENGINE START/STOP for longer than two seconds,or press twice in five seconds.
ACC/ACCESSORY (AmberIndicator Light) :This mode allowsyou to use some electricalaccessories when the engine is off.