2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU Operation

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
Introduction 3
Danger, Warning, and
Caution
Warning messages found on vehicle
labels and in this manual describe
hazards and what to do to avoid or
reduce them.
{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’s
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. See the
features in this manual for
information.
u:Air Conditioning System
G:Air Conditioning Refrigerant Oil
9:Airbag Readiness Light
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
$:Brake System Warning Light
9:Dispose of Used Components
Properly
P:Do Not Apply High Pressure
Water
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
g:First Responder
_:Flame/Fire Prohibited
H:Flammable
[:Forward Collision Alert
R:Fuse Block Cover Lock
Location
+:Fuses

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
8 In Brief
Initial Drive
Information
This section provides a brief
overview about some of the
important features that may or may
not be on your specific vehicle.
For more detailed information, refer
to each of the features which can be
found later in this owner’s manual.
Stop/Start System
If equipped, the Stop/Start system
will shut off the engine to help
conserve fuel. It has components
designed for the increased number
of starts.
When the brakes are applied and
the vehicle is at a complete stop,
the engine may turn off. When
stopped, the tachometer displays
AUTO STOP. SeeTachometer
(Non-Hybrid)0119. When the brake
pedal is released or the accelerator
pedal is pressed, the engine will
restart. SeeStop/Start System
0179.
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 door
or all doors, depending on the
vehicle personalization setting.
Q:Press to lock all doors.
Lock and unlock feedback can be
personalized.
X:Press twice quickly to open the
trunk.
7:Press and release one time to
initiate vehicle locator. Press and
hold for at least three seconds to
sound the panic alarm. Press again
to cancel the panic alarm.
SeeKeys029and
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation030.
Remote Vehicle Start
If equipped, the engine can be
started 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 until
the turn signal lamps flash.
3. Start the vehicle normally after
entering.
When the vehicle starts, the parking
lamps will turn on.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
In Brief 9
For the hybrid vehicle, the engine
will only start if needed for warming
functions or high voltage battery
charging.
Remote start can be extended.
Canceling a Remote Start
To cancel a remote start, do one of
the following:
.
Press and hold
/until the
parking lamps turn off.
.
Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.
Turn the vehicle on and then off.
SeeRemote Vehicle Start037.
Door Locks
To lock or unlock the doors from the
outside:
.
Press
QorKon the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
SeeRemote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation030.
.
Use the key in the driver door.
The key lock cylinder has a
cover. SeeDoor Locks039.To lock or unlock the doors from the
inside:
.
PressQorKon the power door
lock switch.
.
Pull the door handle once to
unlock the door. Pulling the
handle again unlatches the door.
SeePower Door Locks041.
Trunk Release
To open the trunk:
.
Press
Xtwice on the RKE
transmitter..
Press the touch pad on the rear
of the trunk after unlocking all
doors.
For Keyless Access, the RKE
transmitter must be within 1 m (3 ft)
of the trunk. Press the touch pad on
the rear of the trunk and lift to open.
SeeRemote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation030.
SeeTrunk043.
Windows

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
18 In Brief
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
1. Driver and Passenger
Ventilated Seats (If Equipped)
2. Driver and Passenger
Temperature Controls
3. MAX Defrost
4. Air Delivery Mode Controls
5. A/C (Air Conditioning)
6. Driver and Passenger Heated
Seats (If Equipped)
7. SYNC8. AUTO (Automatic Operation)
9. Fan Controls
10. Power (On/Off)
11. Recirculation
12. Rear Window Defogger
SeeClimate Control Systems0156
or
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System0159(If Equipped).
Transmission
Electronic Range Select
(ERS) Mode
ERS mode allows you to choose the
top-gear limit of the transmission
and the vehicle's speed while
driving downhill or towing a trailer.
The vehicle has an electronic shift
position indicator within the
instrument cluster. When using the
ERS mode a number will display
next to the L, indicating the current
gear that has been selected.
To use this feature:
1. Move the shift lever to
L (Manual Mode).
2. Press + (Plus) or−(Minus) on
the shift lever to increase or
decrease the gear range
available.
SeeManual Mode0186.
Hybrid Low Mode
When descending steep grades or
in stop-and-go traffic, L (Low)
provides the ability to slow the
vehicle with regenerative braking

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
22 In Brief
SeeAssistance Systems for Parking
or Backing0205.
Park Assist
If equipped, Front and Rear Park
Assist (FRPA) uses sensors on the
front and rear bumpers to assist
with parking and avoiding objects
during low-speed parking
maneuvers. It operates at speeds
less than 8 km/h (5 mph). The
system may show a warning triangle
on the infotainment display and a
graphic on the instrument cluster to
provide the object distance. In
addition, multiple beeps may occur
if very close to an object.
SeeAssistance Systems for Parking
or Backing0205.
Automatic Parking
Assist (APA)
If equipped, the APA system helps
to search for and maneuver the
vehicle into parallel or perpendicular
parking spots using automatic
steering, DIC displays, and beeps.When the vehicle speed is below
30 km/h (18 mph), press
Oto
enable the system.
See“Automatic Parking Assist
(APA)”underAssistance Systems
for Parking or Backing0205.
Power Outlets
The accessory power outlets can be
used to plug in electrical equipment,
such as a cell phone or MP3 player.
There are two accessory power
outlets:
.
One on the center stack below
the climate control system.
.
One on the rear of the center
console.
Open the protective cover to use the
accessory power outlet.
SeePower Outlets0110.
Sunroof
If equipped, the ignition must be on
or in ACC/ACCESSORY,
or Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
must be active to operate thesunroof. SeeIgnition Positions
0176and
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
0181.
1. Sunroof Switch
2. Sunshade Switch
Sunroof Express Operation
Press and release
D(1) to vent.
Press and release again to
express-open. Press
D(1) at any
time to stop movement. Press and
release
g(1) to express-close.
Press
g(1) at any time to stop
movement.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
In Brief 23
Sunroof Manual Operation
The sunroof can change to manual
mode by holding
D(1) while
opening. The sunroof will now open
as long as
D(1) is held. Press and
release again to change back to
express operation.
Power Sunshade Express
Operation
Press and release
C(2) to
express-open the power sunshade.
Press
C(2) at any time to stop
movement. Press and release
Q
(2) to express-close the power
sunshade. Press
Q(2) at any
time to stop movement.
Power Sunshade Manual
Operation
The power sunshade can change to
manual mode by holding
C(2)
while opening. The power sunshade
will now open as long as
C(2) is
held. Press and release again to
change back to express operation.The sunroof cannot be opened or
closed if the vehicle has an
electrical failure.
The sunroof is equipped with an
automatic reversal system. See
Sunroof051.
Hybrid Features
Hybrid Vehicle Operation
The hybrid vehicle combines
gasoline and electric propulsion to
drive the vehicle. The gas engine
will automatically start to provide
power. It will shut off to save fuel.
The engine may remain
running when:
.
There is aggressive acceleration
or climbing hills.
.
Vehicle speed is greater than
88 km/h (55 mph).
.
The high voltage battery is
charging.
.
The heater is being used.
The engine and transmission work
together to provide the required
power at the highest efficiency. This
may result in higher engine speeds.
SeeDriving for Better Fuel
Economy028.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
26 In Brief
.
To turn off both TCS and
StabiliTrak/ESC, press and hold
gon the center console, untili
andgilluminate in the
instrument cluster.
.
Press and release
gagain to
turn on both systems.
SeeTraction Control/Electronic
Stability Control0192.
Tire Pressure Monitor
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The low tire pressure warning light
alerts to a significant loss in
pressure of one of the vehicle's
tires. If the warning light comes on,
stop as soon as possible and inflate
the tires to the recommended
pressure shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. SeeVehicle Load Limits0172. The
warning light will remain on until the
tire pressure is corrected.
The low tire pressure warning light
may come on in cool weather when
the vehicle is first started, and then
turn off as the vehicle is driven. This
may be an early indicator that the
tire pressures are getting low and
the tires need to be inflated to the
proper pressure.
The TPMS does not replace normal
monthly tire maintenance. Maintain
the correct tire pressures.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System
0285.
Tire Fill Alert (If Equipped)
This feature provides visual and
audible alerts outside the vehicle to
help when inflating an underinflated
tire to the recommended cold tire
pressure. See“Tire Fill Alert (If
Equipped)”underTire Pressure
Monitor Operation0286.
Fuel (1.5L and 1.8L
Engines)
Regular Unleaded Fuel
Use only Regular 87 octane—(R
+M)/2—or higher unleaded
gasoline in your vehicle. TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline is
recommended. Do not use gasoline
with an octane rating lower as it will
result in reduced performance and
lower fuel economy. See
Recommended Fuel (1.5L and 1.8L
Engines)0220or
Recommended Fuel (2.0L Engine)
0220.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
Keys, Doors, and Windows 29
Keys, Doors, and
Windows
Keys and Locks
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . 37
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . 42
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Doors
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Vehicle Security
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Vehicle Alarm System . . . . . . . . . 45
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Immobilizer Operation . . . . . . . . . 46
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Reverse Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Interior Mirrors
Interior Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . 49
Manual Rearview Mirror . . . . . . . . 49
Automatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Windows
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
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.