Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
4 Introduction
_:High Voltage
j:ISOFIX/LATCH System Child
Restraints
Q:Keep Fuse Block Covers
Properly Installed
|:Lane Change Alert
@:Lane Departure Warning
A:Lane Keep Assist
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
X:Park Assist
~:Pedestrian Ahead Indicator
O:Power
7:Rear Cross Traffic Alert
I:Registered Technician
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Seat Belt Reminders
I:Side Blind Zone Alert
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
d:Traction Control/StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
a:Under Pressure
V:Vehicle Ahead Indicator
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 39
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
seat belts properly and the
doors should be locked
whenever the vehicle is
driven.
.
Young children who get into
unlocked vehicles may be
unable to get out. A child
can be overcome by
extreme heat and can suffer
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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.
SeeRemote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation030.
.
In the case of a dead battery,
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.
Keyless Access
The RKE transmitter must be within
1 m (3 ft) of the trunk or door being
opened. Press the button on the
door handle to open. See“Keyless
Access Operation”inRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation030.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
Keys, Doors, and Windows 43
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, by pressing
the power door lock switch,
or by using 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
(Continued)
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
Keys, Doors, and Windows 49
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 a
pulsing 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 the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter in a vehicle with
children. When there are children
in the rear seat, use the window
lockout switch to prevent
operation of the windows. See
Keys029.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
Seats and Restraints 67
Warning (Continued)
passengers to ride in any area of
the vehicle that is not equipped
with seats and seat belts.
Always wear a seat belt, and
check that all passenger(s) are
restrained properly too.
This vehicle has indicators as a
reminder to buckle the seat belts.
SeeSeat Belt Reminders0122.
Seat Belt Assurance System
This vehicle may have the Seat Belt
Assurance System, which prevents
the vehicle from shifting out of
P (Park). A message displays in the
Driver Information Center (DIC)
indicating the shift lever is locked if
the driver is unbuckled. The vehicle
will not shift out of P (Park). Buckle
the seat belt to unlock the shift
lever.
On some models, the Seat Belt
Assurance System may also
prevent shifting out of P (Park) if the
front outboard passenger, if present,is unbuckled. This system may not
allow the vehicle to shift out of
P (Park) if an object—such as a
briefcase, handbag, grocery bag,
laptop, or other electronic device—
is on the front outboard passenger
seat. If this happens, remove the
object from the seat or buckle the
seat belt to unlock the shift lever.
A message displays in the DIC
indicating the shift lever is unlocked
allowing the vehicle to be shifted out
of P (Park) after several seconds
following initial brake apply. See
“Seat Belts”and“Child Restraints”
in the Index for information about
the importance of proper
restraint use.
If the driver or front outboard
passenger unbuckles their seat belt
while driving, the seat belt reminder
chime and light(s) will come on. See
Seat Belt Reminders0122.
This system may not function
properly if the airbag readiness light
is on. SeeAirbag Readiness Light
0123.
Why Seat Belts Work
When riding in a vehicle, you travel
as fast as the vehicle does. If the
vehicle stops suddenly, you keep
going until something stops you.
It could be the windshield, the
instrument panel, or the seat belts!
When you wear a seat belt, you and
the vehicle slow down together.
There is more time to stop because
you stop over a longer distance and,
when worn properly, your strongest
bones take the forces from the seat
belts. That is why wearing seat belts
makes such good sense.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
70 Seats and Restraints
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 seat belt
and the seat belt is not attached,
seeRear Seats063for instructions
on reconnecting the seat 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 restraintlocking feature may be
engaged. If this happens, let
the belt go back all the way
and start again.
Engaging the child restraint
locking feature in the front
outboard seating position may
affect the passenger sensing
system. SeePassenger
Sensing System080.
3. Push the latch plate into the
buckle until it clicks.
If the latch plate will not go fully
into the buckle, check if the
correct buckle is being used.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
82 Seats and Restraints
When the passenger sensing
system has turned off the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag
and knee airbag, the OFF indicator
will light and stay lit as a reminder
that the airbags are off. See
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
0123.
The passenger sensing system is
designed to turn on the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag
and knee airbag anytime the system
senses that a person of adult size is
sitting properly in the front outboard
passenger seat. When the
passenger sensing system has
allowed the airbag(s) to be enabled,
the ON indicator will light and stay lit
as a reminder that the airbag(s) are
active.
For some children, including
children in child restraints and for
very small adults, the passenger
sensing system may or may not turn
off the front outboard passenger
frontal airbag and knee airbag,
depending upon the person's
seating posture and body build.
Everyone in the vehicle who hasoutgrown child restraints should
wear a seat belt properly—whether
or not there is an airbag for that
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
Light0123for more information,
including important safety
information.
If the On Indicator Is Lit for a
Child Restraint
The passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag
and knee airbag if the system
determines that an infant is present
in a child restraint. If a child restraint
has been installed and the ON
indicator is lit:1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove the child restraint from
the vehicle.
3. Remove any additional items
from the seat such as blankets,
cushions, seat covers, seat
heaters, or seat massagers.
4. Reinstall the child restraint
following the directions
provided by the child restraint
manufacturer and refer to
Securing Child Restraints (With
the Seat Belt in the Rear Seat)
099or
Securing Child Restraints (With
the Seat Belt in the Front Seat)
0101.
Make sure the seat belt
retractor is locked by pulling
the shoulder belt all the way
out of the retractor when
installing the child restraint,
even if the child restraint is
equipped with a seat belt
lock-off. When the retractor
lock is set, the belt can be
tightened but not pulled out of
the retractor.