Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
64 Seats and Restraints
{Warning
Stowing articles under the
passenger seat or between the
passenger seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the
proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle
should be serviced. There are parts
of the airbag system in several
places around the vehicle. Your
dealer and the service manual have
information about servicing the
vehicle and the airbag system. To
purchase a service manual, see
Publication Ordering Information
0329.
{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 with
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
Seats and Restraints 65
GM 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
0 59.
If the vehicle has rollover roof-rail
airbags, see Different Size Tires
and Wheels 0268 for 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 Offices 0322.Airbag System Check
The airbag system does not need
regularly scheduled maintenance or
replacement. Make sure the airbag
readiness light is working. See
Airbag Readiness Light 0102.
Caution
If an airbag covering is damaged,
opened, or broken, the airbag
may not work properly. Do not
open or break the airbag
coverings. If there are any
opened or broken airbag
coverings, have the airbag
covering and/or airbag module
replaced. For the location of the
airbags, see Where Are the
Airbags? 055. See your dealer
for service.
Replacing Airbag System
Parts after a Crash
{Warning
A crash can damage the airbag
systems in the vehicle.
A damaged airbag system may
not properly protect you and your
passenger(s) in a crash, resulting
in serious injury or even death. To
help make sure the airbag
systems are working properly
after a crash, have them
inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as
possible.
If an airbag inflates, you will need to
replace airbag system parts. See
your dealer for service.
If the airbag readiness light stays on
after the vehicle is started or comes
on when you are driving, the airbag
system may not work properly. Have
the vehicle serviced right away. See
Airbag Readiness Light 0102.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
88 Instruments and Controls
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . 89
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 89
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . 89
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . 89
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Instrument Cluster (Base Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Instrument Cluster (Uplevel) . . . 97
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . 102
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 102
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 104
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 104
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 108
Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . 108
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . 109
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light
(Uplevel Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . . 110
Low Fuel Warning Light (Base Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 Low Fuel Warning Light
(Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 112
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . 112
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 112
Door Ajar Light (Uplevel) . . . . . 113
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 120
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . 120
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 120
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
Instruments and Controls 89
Controls
Steering Wheel
Adjustment
To adjust the steering wheel:1. Pull the lever down.
2. Move the steering wheel up or down.
3. Pull or push the steering wheel closer or away from you.
4. Pull the lever up to lock the steering wheel in place. Do not adjust the steering wheel
while driving.
Steering Wheel Controls
The infotainment system can be
operated by using the steering
wheel controls. See
“Steering Wheel
Controls” in the infotainment
manual.
Heated Steering Wheel
(: If equipped with a heated
steering wheel, press to turn on or
off. A light on the button displays
when the feature is turned on. The steering wheel takes about
three minutes to reach
maximum heat.
Horn
Pressaon the steering wheel pad
to sound the horn.
Windshield Wiper/Washer
The windshield wiper/washer lever
is on the side of the steering
column. With the ignition on or in
ACC/ACCESSORY, move the
windshield wiper lever to select the
wiper speed.
HI : Use for fast wipes.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
98 Instruments and Controls
Cluster Menu
There is an interactive display area
in the center of the instrument
cluster.
Use the right steering wheel control
to open and scroll through the
different items and displays.
Press
oto access the cluster
applications. Use
worxto scroll
through the list of available
applications. Not all applications will
be available on all vehicles. .
Info app. This is where you can
view the selected Driver
Information Center (DIC)
displays. See Driver Information
Center (DIC) (Base Level) 0113
or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) 0116.
. Audio
. Phone
. Navigation
. Options
Audio
In the main view of the Audio app,
press
worxto scroll through
radio stations or move to the next/
previous track of a CD/USB/
Bluetooth device that is connected
to the vehicle. Press
Vto select the
Audio app, then press
pto enter
the Audio menu. In the Audio menu
browse for music, select from the
favorites, or change the audio
source. Phone
Press
Vto select the Phone app,
then press
pto enter the Phone
menu. In the Phone menu, if there is
no active phone call, view recent
calls, scroll through contacts,
or select from the favorites. If there
is an active call, mute or unmute the
phone or switch to handset or
handsfree operation.
Navigation
Press
Vto select the Navigation
app, then press
pto enter the
Navigation menu. If there is an
active route, press
Vto cancel or
resume route guidance or turn the
voice prompts on/off.
Options
Press
Vto select the Options app.
Use
worxto scroll through the
items in the Options menu.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
Instruments and Controls 105
Caution (Continued)
Maintenance test. See
Accessories and Modifications
0213.
If the light is flashing : A
malfunction has been detected that
could damage the emission control
system and increase vehicle
emissions. Diagnosis and service
may be required.
To help prevent damage, reduce
vehicle speed and avoid hard
accelerations and uphill grades.
If towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled as
soon as possible.
If the light continues to flash, find a
safe place to park. Turn the vehicle
off and wait at least 10 seconds
before restarting the engine. If the
light is still flashing, follow the
previous guidelines and see your
dealer for service as soon as
possible. If the light is on steady :
A
malfunction has been detected.
Diagnosis and service may be
required.
Check the following:
. If fuel has been added to the
vehicle using the capless fuel
funnel adapter, make sure that it
has been removed. See “Filling
the Tank with a Portable Gas
Can” under Filling the Tank
0 200. The diagnostic system
can detect if the adapter has
been left installed in the vehicle,
allowing fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere. A few driving
trips with the adapter removed
may turn off the light.
. Poor fuel quality can cause
inefficient engine operation and
poor driveability, which may go
away once the engine is warmed
up. If this occurs, change the
fuel brand. It may require at
least one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off. See
Recommended Fuel (1.5L
Engine)
0198 or
Recommended Fuel (2.0L
Engine) 0199.
If the light remains on, see your
dealer.
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
If the vehicle requires an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test, the
test equipment will likely connect to
the vehicle's Data Link
Connector (DLC).
The DLC is under the instrument
panel to the left of the steering
wheel. Connecting devices that are
not used to perform an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test or to
service the vehicle may affect
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
108 Instruments and Controls
Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
Light
After the vehicle is started, this light
turns off and stays off if LKA has not
been turned on or is unavailable.
If available, this light is white if LKA
is turned on, but not ready to assist.
This light is green if LKA is turned
on and is ready to assist.
LKA may assist by gently turning
the steering wheel if the vehicle
approaches a detected lane
marking. The LKA light is amber
when assisting.
This light flashes amber as a Lane
Departure Warning (LDW) alert, to
indicate that the lane marking has
been crossed.LKA will not assist or alert if the turn
signal is active in the direction of
lane departure, or if LKA detects
that you are accelerating, braking,
or actively steering.
See
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) 0196.
Vehicle Ahead Indicator
If equipped, this indicator will
display green when a vehicle is
detected ahead and amber when
you are following a vehicle ahead
much too closely.
See Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0188.
Pedestrian Ahead
Indicator
If equipped, this indicator will
display amber when a nearby
pedestrian is detected in front of the
vehicle.
See Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB)
System 0191.
Traction Off Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
Instruments and Controls 109
dealer. If the system is working
normally, the indicator light then
turns off.
The traction off light comes on when
the Traction Control System (TCS)
has been turned off by pressing and
releasing the TCS/StabiliTrak/ESC
button.
This light and the StabiliTrak/ESC
OFF light come on when StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is
turned off.
If the TCS is off, wheel spin is not
limited. Adjust driving accordingly.
SeeTraction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0170.
StabiliTrak OFF Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer.
This light comes on when the
StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) system is turned off.
If StabiliTrak/ESC is off, the Traction
Control System (TCS) is also off.
If StabiliTrak/ESC and TCS are off,
the system does not assist in
controlling the vehicle. Turn on the
TCS and the StabiliTrak/ESC
systems, and the warning light
turns off.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0170.
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak Light
This light comes on briefly when the
engine is started.
If the light does not come on, have
the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally,
the indicator light turns off.
If the light is on and not flashing, the
TCS and potentially the StabiliTrak/
ESC system have been disabled.
A Driver Information Center (DIC)
message may display. Check the
DIC messages to determine which
feature(s) is no longer functioning
and whether the vehicle requires
service.
If the light is on and flashing, the
TCS and/or the StabiliTrak/ESC
system is actively working.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0170.