Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
60 Seats and Restraints
Memory Positions”previously in thissection. See alsoVehiclePersonalization0147.
Easy exit recall automaticallyactivates when one of the followingoccurs:
.The vehicle is turned off and thedriver door is opened within ashort time.
.The vehicle is turned off with thedriver door open.
To s t o p r e c a l l m o v e m e n t , p r e s s o n eof the memory, driver seat oroutside mirror.
Obstructions
If something has blocked the driverseat while recalling a memoryposition, the recall may stop.Remove the obstruction. Then doone of the following:
.If automatically or manuallyrecalling the stored memoryposition, press and hold theappropriate manual control fortwo seconds. Try recalling againby pressing the appropriatememory button.
.If automatically recalling theposition, press and hold theappropriate manual control forthe memory item that is notrecalling for two seconds. Tryrecalling again by opening the
driver door and pressingKon
the RKE transmitter.
.If recalling the exit position,press and hold the appropriatemanual control for the exitfeature not recalling fortwo seconds. Then try recallingthe exit position again.
If the memory position is still notrecalling, see your dealer forservice.
Heated and Ventilated
Front Seats
{Warning
If you cannot feel temperature
change or pain to the skin, the
seat heater may cause burns. To
reduce the risk of burns, people
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
with such a condition should use
care when using the seat heater,
especially for long periods of
time. Do not place anything on
the seat that insulates against
heat, such as a blanket, cushion,
cover, or similar item. This may
cause the seat heater to
overheat. An overheated seat
heater may cause a burn or may
damage the seat.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Seats and Restraints 79
wear a safety belt properly—whether or not there is an airbag forthat person.
{Warning
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others,
have the vehicle serviced right
away. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light0120for more information,
including important safety
information.
If the On Indicator Is Lit for a
Child Restraint
The passenger sensing system isdesigned to turn off the frontoutboard passenger frontal airbagand knee airbag if the systemdetermines that an infant is presentin a child restraint. If a child restrainthas been installed and the onindicator is lit:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove the child restraint fromthe vehicle.
3. Remove any additional itemsfrom the seat such as blankets,cushions, seat covers, seatheaters, or seat massagers.
4. Reinstall the child restraintfollowing the directionsprovided by the child restraintmanufacturer and refer toSecuring Child Restraints (Withthe Safety Belt in the FrontSeat)098orSecuring ChildRestraints (With the Safety Beltin the Rear Seat)096.
Make sure the safety beltretractor is locked by pullingthe shoulder belt all the wayout of the retractor wheninstalling the child restraint,even if the child restraint isequipped with a safety beltlock-off. When the retractorlock is set, the belt can betightened but not pulled out ofthe retractor.
5. If, after reinstalling the childrestraint and restarting thevehicle, the on indicator is still
lit, turn the vehicle off. Thenslightly recline the vehicleseatback and adjust the seatcushion, if adjustable, to makesure that the vehicle seatbackis not pushing the childrestraint into the seat cushion.
Also make sure the childrestraint is not trapped underthe vehicle head restraint.If this happens, adjust the headrestraint. SeeHeadRestraints055.
6. Restart the vehicle.
The passenger sensing system mayor may not turn off the airbags for achild in a child restraint dependingupon the child’ssize.Itisbettertosecure the child restraint in a rearseat. Never put a rear-facing childrestraint in the front seat, even if theon indicator is not lit.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
80 Seats and Restraints
If the Off Indicator Is Lit for an
Adult-Sized Occupant
If a person of adult size is sitting inthe front outboard passenger seat,but the off indicator is lit, it could bebecause that person is not sittingproperly in the seat or that the childrestraint locking feature is engaged.Use the following steps to allow thesystem to detect that person andenable the front outboard passengerfrontal airbag and knee airbag:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove any additional materialfrom the seat, such asblankets, cushions, seatcovers, seat heaters, or seatmassagers.
3. Place the seatback in the fullyupright position.
4. Have the person sit upright inthe seat, centered on the seatcushion, with legs comfortablyextended.
5. If the shoulder portion of thebelt is pulled out all the way,the child restraint lockingfeature will be engaged. Thismay unintentionally cause thepassenger sensing system toturn the airbag off for someadult-sized occupants. If thishappens, unbuckle the belt, letthe belt go back all the way,and then buckle the belt againwithout pulling the belt out allthe way.
6. Restart the vehicle and havethe person remain in thisposition for two tothree minutes after the onindicator is lit.
{Warning
If the front outboard passenger
airbag is turned off for an
adult-sized occupant, the airbag
will not be able to inflate and help
protect that person in a crash,
resulting in an increased risk of
serious injury or even death. An
adult-sized occupant should not
ride in the front outboard
passenger seat, if the passenger
airbag off indicator is lit.
Additional Factors Affecting
System Operation
Safety belts help keep thepassenger in position on the seatduring vehicle maneuvers andbraking, which helps the passengersensing system maintain thepassenger airbag status. See“Safety Belts”and“Child Restraints”in the Index for additionalinformation about the importance ofproper restraint use.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Seats and Restraints 81
Athicklayerofadditionalmaterial,such as a blanket or cushion,or aftermarket equipment such asseat covers, seat heaters, and seatmassagers can affect how well thepassenger sensing systemoperates. We recommend that younot use seat covers or otheraftermarket equipment except whenapproved by GM for your specificvehicle. SeeAdding Equipment tothe Airbag-Equipped Vehicle081for more information aboutmodifications that can affect howthe system operates.
The on indicator may be lit if anobject, such as a briefcase,handbag, grocery bag, laptop,or other electronic device is put onan unoccupied seat. If this is notdesired remove the object fromthe seat.
{Warning
Stowing of articles under the
passenger seat or between the
passenger seat cushion and
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
seatback may interfere with the
proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicleshould be serviced. There are partsof the airbag system in severalplaces around the vehicle. Yourdealer and the service manual haveinformation about servicing thevehicle and the airbag system. Topurchase a service manual, seeService Publications OrderingInformation0392.
{Warning
For up to 10 seconds after the
vehicle is turned off and the
battery is disconnected, an airbag
can still inflate during improper
service. You can be injured if you
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
are close to an airbag when it
inflates. Avoid yellow connectors.
They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and
make sure the person performing
work for you is qualified to do so.
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Adding accessories that change thevehicle's frame, bumper system,height, front end, or side sheetmetal, may keep the airbag systemfrom working properly. Theoperation of the airbag system canalso be affected by changing anyparts of the front seats, safety belts,the airbag sensing and diagnosticmodule, steering wheel, instrumentpanel, any of the airbag modules,ceiling or pillar garnish trim, frontsensors, side impact sensors,or airbag wiring.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
120 Instruments and Controls
Safety Belt Reminders
Driver Safety Belt Reminder
Light
There is a driver safety beltreminder light on the instrumentcluster.
When the vehicle is started, thislight flashes and a chime may comeon to remind the driver to fastentheir safety belt. Then the light stayson solid until the belt is buckled.This cycle may continue severaltimes if the driver remains orbecomes unbuckled while thevehicle is moving.
If the driver safety belt is buckled,neither the light nor the chimecomes on.
Passenger Safety Belt
Reminder Light
There is a passenger safety beltreminder light near the passengerairbag status indicator. SeePassenger Sensing System077.
When the vehicle is started, thislight flashes and a chime may comeon to remind passengers to fastentheir safety belt. Then the light stayson solid until the belt is buckled.This cycle continues several times ifthe passenger remains or becomesunbuckled while the vehicle ismoving.
If the passenger safety belt isbuckled, neither the chime nor thelight comes on.
The front passenger safety beltreminder light and chime may turnon if an object is put on the seatsuch as a briefcase, handbag,
grocery bag, laptop, or otherelectronic device. To turn off thereminder light and/or chime, removethe object from the seat or bucklethe safety belt.
Airbag Readiness Light
This light shows if there is anelectrical problem with the airbagsystem. The system check includesthe airbag sensor(s), passengersensing system, the pretensioners,the airbag modules, the wiring, andthe crash sensing and diagnosticmodule. For more information on theairbag system, seeAirbagSystem071.
The airbag readiness light comes onfor several seconds when thevehicle is started. If the light doesnot come on then, have it fixedimmediately.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
212 Climate Controls
Operation Tips
.Keep all outlets open wheneverpossible for best systemperformance.
.Keep the path under all seatsclear of objects to help circulatethe air inside the vehicle moreeffectively.
.Use of non-GM approved hooddeflectors can adversely affectthe performance of the system.
.Do not attach any devices to theair vent slats; this restrictsairflow and may cause damageto the air vents.
Maintenance
Passenger Compartment
Air Filter
The filter removes dust, pollen, andother airborne irritants from outsideair that is pulled into the vehicle.
The filter should be replaced as partof routine scheduled maintenance;seeMaintenance Schedule0369.To f i n d o u t w h a t t y p e o f f i l t e r t o u s e ,seeMaintenance ReplacementParts0378.
1. Open the glove box completely.
2. Disconnect the glove box doordampener arm from the glovebox door assembly.
3. Squeeze both sides of theglove box door to open beyondthe stops.
4. Release the retainer clipsholding the service door. Openthe service door and removethe old filter.
5. Install the new air filter.
6. Close the service door andretainer clips.
7. Reverse the steps to reinstallthe glove box.