
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
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
Seats and Restraints 77
Rear Seat Driver Side Shown,
Passenger Side Similar
On vehicles with second row
seat-mounted side impact airbags,
they are in the sides of the rear
seatback closest to the door.
{Warning
If something is between an
occupant and an airbag, the
airbag might not inflate properly
or it might force the object into
that person causing severe injury
or even death. The path of an
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
inflating airbag must be kept
clear. Do not put anything
between an occupant and an
airbag, and do not attach or put
anything on the steering wheel
hub or on or near any other
airbag covering.
Do not use seat accessories that
block the inflation path of a
seat-mounted side impact airbag.
Never secure anything to the roof
of a vehicle with roof-rail airbags
by routing a rope or tie‐down
through any door or window
opening. If you do, the path of an
inflating roof-rail airbag will be
blocked.
When Should an Airbag
Inflate?
This vehicle is equipped with
airbags. SeeAirbag System074.
Airbags are designed to inflate if the
impact exceeds the specific airbagsystem's deployment threshold.
Deployment thresholds are used to
predict how severe a crash is likely
to be in time for the airbags to
inflate and help restrain the
occupants. The vehicle has
electronic sensors that help the
airbag system determine the
severity of the impact. Deployment
thresholds can vary with specific
vehicle design.
Frontal airbags are designed to
inflate in moderate to severe frontal
or near frontal crashes to help
reduce the potential for severe
injuries, mainly to the driver's or
front outboard passenger's head
and chest.
Whether the frontal airbags will or
should inflate is not based primarily
on how fast the vehicle is traveling.
It depends on what is hit, the
direction of the impact, and how
quickly the vehicle slows down.
Frontal airbags may inflate at
different crash speeds depending on
whether the vehicle hits an object
straight on or at an angle, and

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
Seats and Restraints 81
The passenger sensing system
turns off the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag and knee
airbag under certain conditions. No
other airbag is affected by the
passenger sensing system.
The passenger sensing system
works with sensors that are part of
the front outboard passenger seat
and seat belt. The sensors are
designed to detect the presence of
a properly seated occupant and
determine if the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag and knee
airbag should be allowed to inflate
or not.
According to accident statistics,
children are safer when properly
secured in a rear seat in the correct
child restraint for their weight
and size.
Whenever possible, children age
12 and under should be secured in
a rear seating position.
Never put a rear-facing child seat in
the front. This is because the risk to
the rear-facing child is so great,
if the airbag inflates.{Warning
A child in a rear-facing child
restraint can be seriously injured
or killed if the passenger frontal
airbag inflates. This is because
the back of the rear-facing child
restraint would be very close to
the inflating airbag. A child in a
forward-facing child restraint can
be seriously injured or killed if the
passenger frontal airbag inflates
and the passenger seat is in a
forward position.
Even if the passenger sensing
system has turned off the front
outboard passenger airbag(s), no
system is fail-safe. No one can
guarantee that an airbag will not
deploy under some unusual
circumstance, even though the
airbag(s) are off.
Never put a rear-facing child
restraint in the front seat, even if
the airbag is off. If securing a
forward-facing child restraint in
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
the front outboard passenger
seat, always move the seat as far
back as it will go. It is better to
secure child restraints in the rear
seat. Consider using another
vehicle to transport the child
when a rear seat is not available.
The passenger sensing system is
designed to turn off the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag
and knee airbag if:
.
The front outboard passenger
seat is unoccupied.
.
The system determines that an
infant is present in a child
restraint.
.
A front outboard passenger
takes his/her weight off of the
seat for a period of time.
.
There is a critical problem with
the airbag system or the
passenger sensing system.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
Seats and Restraints 85
{Warning
For up to 10 seconds after the
vehicle is turned off and the 12‐
volt battery is disconnected, an
airbag can still inflate during
improper service. You can be
injured if you 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 the
vehicle's frame, bumper system,
height, front end, or side sheet
metal may keep the airbag system
from working properly.
The operation of the airbag system
can also be affected by changing,
including improperly repairing or
replacing, any parts of the following:.
Airbag system, including airbag
modules, front or side impact
sensors, sensing and diagnostic
module, or airbag wiring
.
Front seats, including stitching,
seams or zippers
.
Seat belts
.
Steering wheel, instrument
panel, overhead console, ceiling
trim, or pillar garnish trim
.
Inner door seals, including
speakers
Your dealer and the service manual
have information about the location
of the airbag modules and sensors,
sensing and diagnostic module, and
airbag wiring along with the proper
replacement procedures.
In addition, the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system for the
front outboard passenger position,
which includes sensors that are part
of the passenger seat. The
passenger sensing system may not
operate properly if the original seat
trim is replaced with non-GM
covers, upholstery, or trim; or withGM covers, upholstery, or trim
designed for a different vehicle. Any
object, such as an aftermarket seat
heater or a comfort-enhancing pad
or device, installed under or on top
of the seat fabric, could also
interfere with the operation of the
passenger sensing system. This
could either prevent proper
deployment of the passenger
airbag(s) or prevent the passenger
sensing system from properly
turning off the passenger airbag(s).
SeePassenger Sensing System
080.
If the vehicle has rollover roof-rail
airbags, seeDifferent Size Tires
and Wheels0294for additional
important information.
If the vehicle must be modified
because you have a disability and
have questions about whether the
modifications will affect the vehicle's
airbag system, or if you have
questions about whether the airbag
system will be affected if the vehicle
is modified for any other reason, call
Customer Assistance. See
Customer Assistance Offices0348.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
Instruments and Controls 111
Caution (Continued)
outlets are designed for
accessory power plugs only, such
as cell phone charge cords.
Always unplug electrical equipment
when not in use and do not plug in
equipment that exceeds the
maximum 20 amps rating.
Power Outlet 110/120-Volt
Alternating Current
If equipped, this power outlet can be
used to plug in electrical equipment
that uses a maximum limit of 150
watts.
The power outlet is on the rear of
the center console.
An indicator light on the outlet turns
on to show it is in use. The light
comes on when the ignition is on,
equipment requiring less than 150
watts is plugged into the outlet, and
no system fault is detected.
The indicator light does not come on
if the ignition is off, if no equipment
is plugged into the outlet, or if the
equipment is plugged in, but not
fully seated in the outlet.
If equipment is connected using
more than 150 watts or a system
fault is detected, the equipment mayoperate briefly then turn off.
A protection circuit shuts off the
power supply and the indicator light
turns off. To reset the circuit, unplug
the item and plug it back in or turn
the Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) off and then back on. See
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
0181. The power restarts when
equipment using 150 watts or less is
plugged into the outlet and a system
fault is not detected.
The power outlet is not designed for
the following, and may not work
properly if they are plugged in:
.
Equipment with high initial peak
wattage, such as
compressor-driven refrigerators
and electric power tools
.
Other equipment requiring an
extremely stable power supply,
such as
microcomputer-controlled
electric blankets and touch
sensor lamps
.
Medical equipment
SeeHigh Voltage Devices and
Wiring0267.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
Instruments and Controls 123
The front passenger seat belt
reminder light and chime may turn
on if an object is put on the seat
such as a briefcase, handbag,
grocery bag, laptop, or other
electronic device. To turn off the
reminder light and/or chime, remove
the object from the seat or buckle
the seat belt.
Airbag Readiness Light
This light shows if there is an
electrical problem with the airbag
system. The system check includes
the airbag sensor(s), passenger
sensing system, the pretensioners,
the airbag modules, the wiring, and
the crash sensing and diagnostic
module. For more information on the
airbag system, seeAirbag System
074.
The airbag readiness light comes on
for several seconds when the
vehicle is started. If the light does
not come on then, have it fixed
immediately.
{Warning
If the airbag readiness light stays
on after the vehicle is started or
comes on while driving, it means
the airbag system might not be
working properly. The airbags in
the vehicle might not inflate in a
crash, or they could even inflate
without a crash. To help avoid
injury, have the vehicle serviced
right away.
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator
The vehicle has a passenger
sensing system. SeePassenger
Sensing System080for important
safety information. The overhead
console has a passenger airbag
status indicator.
United States and Canada
Mexico
When the vehicle is started, the
passenger airbag status indicator
will light ON and OFF, or the
symbols for on and off, for several
seconds as a system check. Then,
after several more seconds, the
status indicator will light either ON
or OFF, or either the on or off
symbol, to let you know the status of
the front outboard passenger frontal
airbag and knee airbag.
If the word ON or the on symbol is
lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the front

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
148 Lighting
;:Turns on the parking lamps
including all lamps, except the
headlamps.
5:Turns on the headlamps
together with the parking lamps and
instrument panel lights.
IntelliBeam®System
If equipped, this system turns the
vehicle's high-beam headlamps on
and off according to surrounding
traffic conditions.
The system turns the high-beam
headlamps on when it is dark
enough and there is no other traffic
present.
This light
bcomes on in the
instrument cluster when the
IntelliBeam system is enabled.Turning On and Enabling
IntelliBeam
To enable the IntelliBeam system,
press
bon the turn signal lever
when the exterior lamp control is in
the AUTO or
5position. The blue
high-beam on light appears on the
instrument cluster when the high
beams are on.
Driving with IntelliBeam
The system only activates the high
beams when driving over 40 km/h
(25 mph).
There is a sensor near the top
center of the windshield that
automatically controls the system.Keep this area of the windshield
clear of debris to allow for best
system performance.
The high-beam headlamps remain
on, under the automatic control,
until one of the following situations
occurs:
.
The system detects an
approaching vehicle's
headlamps.
.
The system detects a preceding
vehicle's taillamps.
.
The outside light is bright
enough that high-beam
headlamps are not required.
.
The vehicle's speed drops below
20 km/h (12 mph).
.
The IntelliBeam system is
disabled by the button on the
turn signal lever. If this happens,
press
bon the turn signal
lever when the exterior lamp
control is in the AUTO or
5
position. The instrument cluster
light will come on to indicate the
IntelliBeam system is
reactivated.