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
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.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
Keys, Doors, and Windows 31
With Remote Start Shown
Q:Press to lock all doors.
The turn signal indicators may flash
and/or the horn may sound on the
second press to indicate locking.
SeeVehicle Personalization0142.
If the driver door is open when
Qis
pressed and Open Door
Anti-Lockout is enabled, all doors
will lock and then the driver door will
immediately unlock. SeeVehicle
Personalization0142.
If the passenger door is open when
Qis pressed, all doors lock.Pressing
Qmay also arm the alarm
system. SeeVehicle Alarm System
045.
K:Press to unlock the driver door.
Press again within five seconds to
unlock all doors. The RKE
transmitter can be programmed to
unlock all doors on the first button
press. SeeVehicle Personalization
0142.
The turn signal indicators may flash
to indicate unlocking. SeeVehicle
Personalization0142.
Pressing
Kwill disarm the alarm
system. SeeVehicle Alarm System
045.
X:Press twice quickly to release
the trunk.
7:Press and release one time to
initiate vehicle locator. The exterior
lamps flash and the horn chirps
three times.
Press and hold
7for at least
three seconds to sound the panic
alarm. The horn sounds and theturn signals flash for about
30 seconds until
7is pressed again
or the vehicle is started.
/:If equipped, pressQand
release and then press and hold
/
for at least four seconds to start the
engine from outside the vehicle
using the RKE transmitter. See
Remote Vehicle Start037.
Keyless Access Operation
The Keyless Access system lets
you lock and unlock the doors and
access the trunk without removing
the RKE transmitter from your
pocket, purse, briefcase, etc. The
RKE transmitter should be within
1 m (3 ft) of the trunk or door being
opened. If equipped, there will be
buttons on the outside door
handles.
Keyless Access can be
programmed to unlock all doors on
the first unlock/lock button press
from the driver door. SeeVehicle
Personalization0142.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
Keys, Doors, and Windows 33
With the vehicle off, press and holdQandKon the RKE transmitter at
the same time for approximately
three seconds. The turn signal
lamps will flash four times quickly to
indicate access is disabled. Using
any exterior handle to unlock the
doors or open the trunk will cause
the turn signal lamps to flash four
times quickly, indicating access is
disabled. If disabled, disarm the
alarm system before starting the
vehicle.
Enabling Keyless Unlocking:
With the vehicle off, press and hold
QandKon the RKE transmitter at
the same time for approximately
three seconds. The turn signal
lamps will flash twice quickly to
indicate access is enabled.
Passive Locking
This feature will lock the vehicle
several seconds after all doors are
closed, if the vehicle is off and at
least one RKE transmitter has been
removed from the interior or none
remain in the interior.If other electronic devices interfere
with the RKE transmitter signal, the
vehicle may not detect the RKE
transmitter inside the vehicle.
If passive locking is enabled, the
doors may lock with the RKE
transmitter inside the vehicle. Do
not leave the RKE transmitter in an
unattended vehicle.
To customize the doors to
automatically lock when exiting the
vehicle, seeVehicle Personalization
0142.
Temporary Disable of Passive
Locking
Temporarily disable passive locking
by pressing and holding
Kon the
interior door switch with a door open
for at least four seconds, or until
three chimes are heard. Passive
locking will then remain disabled
until
Qon the interior door is
pressed, or until the vehicle is
turned on.Remote Left In Vehicle Alert
When the vehicle is turned off and
an RKE transmitter is left in the
vehicle, the horn will chirp three
times after all doors are closed. To
turn on or off seeVehicle
Personalization0142.
Remote No Longer In Vehicle Alert
If the vehicle is on with a door open,
and then all doors are closed, the
vehicle will check for an RKE
transmitter inside. If an RKE
transmitter is not detected, the
Driver Information Center (DIC) will
display NO REMOTE DETECTED
and the horn will chirp three times.
This occurs only once each time the
vehicle is driven. SeeVehicle
Personalization0142.
Keyless Trunk Opening
Press the touch pad on the rear of
the trunk to open it if the RKE
transmitter is within 1 m (3 ft) of the
trunk.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
Keys, Doors, and Windows 45
following exposure to light. Pull the
release handle to open the trunk
from the inside.
After pulling the emergency trunk
release handle, push the handle
back into the bezel.
Vehicle Security
This vehicle has theft-deterrent
features; however, they do not make
the vehicle impossible to steal.
Vehicle Alarm System
This vehicle has an anti-theft alarm
system.
The indicator light, on the
instrument panel near the
windshield, indicates the status of
the system:
Off :Alarm system is disarmed.On Solid :Vehicle is secured
during the delay to arm the system.
Fast Flash :Vehicle is unsecured.
A door, the hood, or the trunk
is open.
Slow Flash :Alarm system is
armed.
Arming the Alarm System
1. Close the trunk and the hood.
Turn off the vehicle.
2. Lock the vehicle in one of
three ways:
.
Use the RKE transmitter.
.
Use the Keyless Access
system, if equipped.
.
With a door open, press the
inside
Q.
3. After 30 seconds the alarm
system will arm, and the
indicator light will begin to
slowly flash indicating the
alarm system is operating.
Pressing
Qon the RKE
transmitter a second time will
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
46 Keys, Doors, and Windows
bypass the 30-second delay
and immediately arm the alarm
system.
The vehicle alarm system will not
arm if the doors are locked with
the key.
If the driver door is opened without
first unlocking with the RKE
transmitter, the horn will chirp and
the lights will flash to indicate
pre-alarm. If the vehicle is not
started, or the door is not unlocked
by pressing
Kon the RKE
transmitter during the 10-second
pre-alarm, the alarm will be
activated.
If a door, the hood, or the trunk is
opened without first disarming the
system, the turn signals will flash
and the horn will sound for about
30 seconds. The alarm system will
then re-arm to monitor for the next
unauthorized event.
Disarming the Alarm System
Do one of the following to disarm
the alarm system or turn off the
alarm if it has been activated:.
Press
Kon the RKE transmitter.
.
Unlock the vehicle using the
Keyless Access system,
if equipped.
.
Start the vehicle.
To avoid setting off the alarm by
accident:
.
Lock the vehicle after all
occupants have left the vehicle
and all doors are closed.
.
Always unlock a door with the
RKE transmitter or use the
Keyless Access system,
if equipped.
Unlocking the driver door with the
key will not disarm the system or
turn off the alarm.
How to Detect a Tamper
Condition
IfKis pressed on the RKE
transmitter and the horn chirps and
the lights flash three times, an alarm
occurred previously while the alarm
system was armed.If the alarm has been activated, a
message will appear on the Driver
Information Center (DIC).
Immobilizer
SeeRadio Frequency Statement
0356.
Immobilizer Operation
This vehicle has a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system does not have to be
manually armed or disarmed.
The vehicle is automatically
immobilized when the transmitter
leaves the vehicle.
The immobilization system is
disarmed when the ignition button is
pushed in and a valid transmitter is
in the vehicle.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
362 OnStar
Security
If equipped, OnStar provides these
services:
.
With Stolen Vehicle Assistance,
OnStar Advisors can use GPS to
pinpoint the vehicle and help
authorities quickly recover it.
.
With Remote Ignition Block,
if equipped, OnStar can block
the engine from being restarted.
.
With Stolen Vehicle Slowdown,
if equipped, OnStar can work
with law enforcement to
gradually slow the vehicle down.
Theft Alarm Notification
If equipped, if the doors are locked
and the vehicle alarm sounds, a
notification by text, e-mail, or phone
call will be sent. If the vehicle is
stolen, an OnStar Advisor can work
with authorities to recover the
vehicle.
OnStar Additional
Information
In-Vehicle Audio Messages
Audio messages may play important
information at the following times:
.
Prior to vehicle purchase. Press
Qto set up an account.
.
After change in ownership and
at 90 days.
Transferring Service
PressQto request account transfer
eligibility information. The Advisor
can cancel or change account
information.
Selling/Transferring the
Vehicle
Call 1-888-4ONSTAR
(1-888-466-7827) immediately to
terminate your OnStar or connected
services if the vehicle is disposed
of, sold, transferred, or if the
lease ends.
Reactivation for Subsequent
Owners
PressQand follow the prompts to
speak to an Advisor as soon as
possible. The Advisor will update
vehicle records and explain OnStar
or connected service options.
How OnStar Service Works
Automatic Crash Response,
Emergency Services, Crisis Assist,
Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Remote
Services, Roadside Assistance, and
Hands-Free Calling are available on
most vehicles. Not all OnStar
services are available everywhere
or on all vehicles. For more
information, a full description of
OnStar services, system limitations,
and OnStar User Terms, Privacy
Statement, and Software Terms:
.
Call 1-888-4ONSTAR
(1-888-466-7827).
.
See www.onstar.com (U.S.).
.
See www.onstar.ca (Canada).
.
Call TTY 1-877-248-2080.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
372 Index
IndexA
Accessories and
Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Active Fuel Management . . . . . . . 183
Adaptive Cruise Control . . . . . . . . 196
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . 231
Additional Information
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
Additional Maintenance
and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Adjustments
Lumbar, Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . . . 247
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . 156, 159
Air Filter
Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Air Filter, Passenger
Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Airbag System
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
How Does an Airbag
Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Passenger Sensing System . . . . 80
What Makes an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78Airbag System (cont'd)
What Will You See after an
Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
When Should an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . . 76
Airbags
Adding Equipment to the
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Passenger Status Indicator . . . 123
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Servicing Airbag-Equipped
Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Alarm
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Alert
Lane Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Side Blind Zone (SBZA) . . . . . . 215
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . 188
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Appearance Care
Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Armrest
Rear Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66