
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
In Brief 5
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . . . 6
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . . . 8
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Trunk Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Memory Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Second Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Heated and Ventilated Seats . . . 12
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 12
Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Passenger Sensing System . . . 13
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . 14
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . 16
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Vehicle Features
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 19
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Forward Automatic
Braking (FAB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) . . . . . . . 21
Lane Change Alert (LCA) . . . . . . 21
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . 21
Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Automatic Parking
Assist (APA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Hybrid Features
Hybrid Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
High Voltage Safety
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Regenerative Braking
(Hybrid Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . . . 26
Fuel (1.5L and 1.8L
Engines) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Fuel (2.0L Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . 27
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Roadside Assistance
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
In Brief 7
1.Air Vents0163.
2. Turn Signal Lever. SeeTurn
and Lane-Change Signals
0151.
IntelliBeam System Button (If
Equipped). SeeExterior Lamp
Controls0147.
3.Instrument Cluster (Uplevel)
0116or
Instrument Cluster (Base
Level)0115.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base Level)0134or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel)0137.
4.Windshield Wiper/Washer
0109.
5. Light Sensor. SeeAutomatic
Headlamp System0150.
6.Infotainment0155.
7.Climate Control Systems
0156.
Dual Automatic Climate Control
System0159(If Equipped).
8.Hazard Warning Flashers
0150.9.Power Outlets0110.
10.Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control0192.
Assistance Systems for
Parking or Backing0205(If
Equipped).
11. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic
Transmission0185.
12.Electric Parking Brake0189(If
Equipped).
13. USB Port. See the infotainment
manual.
14. ENGINE START/STOP Button.
SeeIgnition Positions0176.
15.Steering Wheel Controls0108.
Driver Information Center
Buttons. SeeDriver Information
Center (DIC) (Base Level)
0134or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel)0137.
16.Horn0108.
17.Steering Wheel Adjustment
0108(Out of View).18.Cruise Control0194.
Adaptive Cruise Control0196
(If Equipped).
Heated Steering Wheel0108
(If Equipped).
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System0209(If Equipped).
Lane Keep Assist (LKA)0217
(If Equipped).
19. Hood Release. SeeHood
0235.
20. Data Link Connector (Out of
View). SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check Engine
Light)0124.
21.Parking Brake0188(If
Equipped).
22.Exterior Lamp Controls0147.
23.Instrument Panel Illumination
Control0151.

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
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
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
44 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Warning (Continued)
and set the fan speed to the
highest setting. See
“Climate Control Systems”
in the Index.
.
If the vehicle is equipped
with a power liftgate, disable
the power liftgate function.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, seeEngine
Exhaust0184.
Trunk Release
To open the trunk the vehicle must
be off or the shift lever must be in
P (Park).
.
Press
Xtwice quickly on the
RKE transmitter.
.
Press the touch pad on the rear
of the trunk after unlocking all
doors.
The trunk may be opened while the
vehicle is locked by pressing the
touch pad on the rear of the trunk
while the RKE transmitter is within
1 m (3 ft) of the rear of the vehicle.
SeeRemote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation030.
Emergency Trunk Release
Handle
Caution
Do not use the emergency trunk
release handle as a tie-down or
anchor point when securing items
in the trunk as it could damage
the handle.
There is a glow-in-the-dark
emergency trunk release handle on
the trunk lid. This handle glows

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
Keys, Doors, and Windows 51
Warning (Continued)
system override, make sure that
all people and obstructions are
clear of the window path.
When the engine is on, override the
automatic reversal system by pulling
and holding the window switch if
conditions prevent it from closing.
Programming the Power
Windows
Programming may be necessary if
the vehicle's battery has been
disconnected or discharged. If the
window is unable to express-up,
program each express-close
window:
1. Close all doors.
2. Turn the ignition on or to ACC/
ACCESSORY.
3. Partially open the window to be
programmed. Then close it and
continue to pull the switch
briefly after the window has
fully closed.4. Open the window and continue
to press the switch briefly after
the window has fully opened.
Sun Visors
Pull the sun visor down to block
glare. Detach the sun visor from the
center mount to pivot to the side
window, or to extend along the rod,
if available.
The vehicle may have mirror lamps.
The lamps turn on and off when the
cover is opened and closed.
Roof
Sunroof
If equipped, the ignition must be on
or in ACC/ACCESSORY,
or Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
must be active to operate the
sunroof. SeeIgnition Positions
0176and
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
0181.
1. Sunroof Switch
2. Sunshade Switch

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
62 Seats and Restraints
.
Power mirror, with the driver or
passenger side mirror selected
.
Power steering wheel,
if equipped
Obstructions
If something has blocked the driver
seat and/or power steering wheel
while recalling a memory position,
the recall may stop. Remove the
obstruction and try the recall again.
If the memory position still does not
recall, see your dealer for service.
Heated and Ventilated
Front Seats
{Warning
If temperature change or pain to
the skin cannot be felt, the seat
heater may cause burns. To
reduce the risk of burns, use care
when using the seat heater,
especially for long periods of
time. Do not place anything on
the seat that insulates against
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
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.
If available, the buttons are on the
climate control panel. To operate,
the engine must be running.Press
LorMto heat the driver or
passenger seat cushion and
seatback. Indicator lights on the
button show the current setting.
Press the button once for the
highest setting. With each press of
the button, the heated seat will
change to the next lower setting,
and then to the off setting. The
lights indicate three for the highest
setting and one for the lowest.
The passenger seat may take
longer to heat up.
Press
{orCto ventilate the driver
or passenger seat. Indicator lights
on the button show the current
setting.
Press the button once for the
highest setting. With each press of
the button, the ventilated seat will
change to the next lower setting,
and then to the off setting. The
lights indicate three for the highest
setting and one for the lowest.