
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
Keys, Doors, and Windows 13
To program additional
transmitters, repeat Steps 3–5
for each new transmitter.
When all additional transmitters
are programmed, press and
hold ENGINE START/STOP for
12 seconds to exit
programming mode.
6. Put the key back into the transmitter.
7. Replace the key lock cylinder cap. See Door Locks 017.
Programming without Recognized
Transmitters
If two currently recognized
transmitters are not available, follow
this procedure to program up to
eight transmitters. This feature is
not available in Canada. This
procedure will take approximately
30 minutes to complete. The vehicle
must be off and all of the
transmitters to be programmed must
be with you. 1. Remove the key lock cylinder cap on the driver door handle.
See Door Locks 017. Insert the vehicle key of the
transmitter into the key lock
cylinder on the outside of the
driver door and turn the key
counterclockwise five times
within 10 seconds.
The DIC displays REMOTE
LEARN PENDING,
PLEASE WAIT.
2. Wait for 10 minutes until the DIC displays PRESS ENGINE
START BUTTON TO LEARN
and then press ENGINE
START/STOP.
The DIC will again display
REMOTE LEARN PENDING,
PLEASE WAIT.
3. Repeat Step 2 two additional times. After the third time, all
previously known transmitters
will no longer work with the
vehicle. Remaining transmitters
can be relearned during the
next steps.
The DIC should now display
READY FOR REMOTE # 1.
4. Place the new transmitter intothe transmitter pocket with the
buttons facing toward the rear
of the vehicle. The transmitter
pocket is inside the center
console storage area.
5. Press ENGINE START/STOP. When the transmitter is
learned, the DIC will show that
it is ready to program the next
transmitter.
6. Remove the transmitter from the transmitter pocket and
press
KorQ.
To program additional
transmitters, repeat Steps 4–6.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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14 Keys, Doors, and Windows
When all additional transmitters
are programmed, press and
hold ENGINE START/STOP for
12 seconds to exit
programming mode.
7. Return the key back into the transmitter.
8. Replace the key lock cylinder cap. See Door Locks 017.
Starting the Vehicle with a Low
Transmitter Battery
While trying to start the vehicle,
if the transmitter battery is weak or if
there is interference with the signal,
the DIC may display NO REMOTE
DETECTED or NO REMOTE KEY
WAS DETECTED PLACE KEY IN
TRANSMITTER POCKET THEN
START YOUR VEHICLE. The DIC
may also display REPLACE
BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY.
To start the vehicle:
1. Open the center console and place the transmitter in the
transmitter pocket with the
buttons facing the rear of the
vehicle. 2. With the vehicle in P (Park) or
N (Neutral), press the brake
pedal and press ENGINE
START/STOP. See Starting the
Engine 0157.
Replace the transmitter battery
as soon as possible.
Battery Replacement
{Warning
Never allow children to play with
the RKE transmitter. The
transmitter contains a small
battery, which can be a choking
hazard. If swallowed, internal
burns can occur, resulting in
severe injury or death. Seek
medical attention immediately if a
battery is swallowed.
{Warning
To avoid personal injury, do not
touch metal surfaces on the RKE
transmitter when it has been
exposed to extreme heat. These
surfaces can be hot to the touch
at temperatures above 59 °C (138
°F).
Caution
When replacing the battery, do
not touch any of the circuitry on
the transmitter. Static from your
body could damage the
transmitter.
Caution
Always replace the battery with
the correct type. Replacing the
battery with an incorrect type
could potentially create a risk of (Continued)

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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16 Keys, Doors, and Windows
3. Remove the battery by pushingon the battery and sliding it
toward the bottom of the
transmitter. Do not use a metal
object.
4. Insert the new battery, positive side facing the back cover.
Push the battery down until it is
held in place. Replace with a
CR2032 or equivalent battery.
5. Snap the battery cover back on to the transmitter.
6. Reinsert the key.
Remote Vehicle Start
If equipped, this feature allows the
engine to be started from outside
the vehicle.
/: This button will be on the RKE
transmitter if the vehicle has remote
start.
The climate control system will
determine the best mode and
temperature setting for operation
during the remote start. Once the
vehicle is started with the Engine
Start/Stop button, the climate control
system will begin to operate at the
last customer selected operating
mode and temperature. The rear
window defogger may come on
during a remote start based on cold
ambient conditions. The rear defog
indicator light does not come on
during a remote start.
If the vehicle has heated seats, they
may come on during a remote start.
See Heated and Ventilated Front
Seats 041. Laws in some local communities
may restrict the use of remote
starters. For example, some laws
require a person using remote start
to have the vehicle in view. Check
local regulations for any
requirements.
Other conditions can affect the
performance of the transmitter. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System
08.
If your vehicle is low on fuel, do not
use the remote start feature. The
vehicle may run out of fuel.
Starting the Engine Using Remote
Start
To start the engine using the remote
start feature:
1. Press and release
Q.
2. Immediately after completing Step 1, press and hold
/for at
least four seconds or until the
turn signal lamps flash. The
turn signal lamps flashing
confirms the request to remote
start the vehicle has been
received.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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46 Seats and Restraints
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.
See Seat Belt Reminders 0102.
Buckle to Drive Feature
If equipped, this feature prevents
the vehicle from shifting out of
P (Park) when Teen Driver is active
and the driver seat belt is not
buckled. See “Teen Driver”in the
infotainment manual. If the engine is
running, the driver seat belt is not
buckled, and the brake pedal is
pressed with the vehicle in P (Park),
a message displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). Buckle the
driver seat belt to shift out of
P (Park). Shifting from P (Park) will
be prevented once for each ignition cycle. For fleet vehicles, shifting
from P (Park) will be prevented each
time these conditions exist.
On some models, Buckle to Drive
may also prevent shifting out of
P (Park) if a front passenger is
unbuckled under similar conditions.
A message displays in the DIC.
Buckle the front passenger seat belt
to shift out of P (Park). This feature
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 passenger seat. If this
happens, remove the object from
the seat or buckle the seat belt to
shift out of P (Park).
If the driver or present front
passenger remains unbuckled, the
DIC message will turn off after
several seconds and the vehicle can
be shifted out of P (Park). See
“Seat
Belts” and“Child Restraints” in the
Index for information about the
importance of proper restraint use.
If the driver seat belt, and/or the
front passenger seat belt on some
vehicles, is unbuckled when driving, the seat belt reminder chime and
light(s) will come on. See
Seat Belt
Reminders 0102.
This feature may not function
properly if the airbag readiness light
is on. See Airbag Readiness Light
0 102.
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!

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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58 Seats and Restraints
For airbag locations, seeWhere Are
the Airbags? 055.
How Does an Airbag
Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or
near frontal collisions, even belted
occupants can contact the steering
wheel or the instrument panel. In
moderate to severe side collisions,
even belted occupants can contact
the inside of the vehicle.
Airbags supplement the protection
provided by seat belts by
distributing the force of the impact
more evenly over the
occupant's body.
Rollover capable roof-rail airbags
are designed to help contain the
head and chest of occupants in the
outboard seating positions in the
first and second rows. The rollover
capable roof-rail airbags are
designed to help reduce the risk of
full or partial ejection in rollover
events, although no system can
prevent all such ejections. But airbags would not help in many
types of collisions, primarily
because the occupant's motion is
not toward those airbags. See
When
Should an Airbag Inflate? 056.
Airbags should never be regarded
as anything more than a supplement
to seat belts.
What Will You See after
an Airbag Inflates?
After frontal, knee, and
seat-mounted side impact airbags
inflate, they quickly deflate, so
quickly that some people may not
even realize the airbags inflated.
Roof-rail airbags may still be at least
partially inflated for some time after
they inflate. Some components of
the airbag module may be hot for
several minutes. For location of the
airbags, see Where Are the
Airbags? 055.
The parts of the airbag that come
into contact with you may be warm,
but not too hot to touch. There may
be some smoke and dust coming
from the vents in the deflated airbags. Airbag inflation does not
prevent the driver from seeing out of
the windshield or being able to steer
the vehicle, nor does it prevent
people from leaving the vehicle.
{Warning
When an airbag inflates, there
may be dust in the air. This dust
could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of
asthma or other breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as
it is safe to do so. If you have
breathing problems but cannot
get out of the vehicle after an
airbag inflates, then get fresh air
by opening a window or a door.
If you experience breathing
problems following an airbag
deployment, you should seek
medical attention.
The vehicle has a feature that may
automatically unlock the doors, turn
on the interior lamps and hazard
warning flashers, and shut off the

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Seats and Restraints 59
fuel system after the airbags inflate.
The feature may also activate,
without airbag inflation, after an
event that exceeds a predetermined
threshold. After turning the ignition
off and then on again, the fuel
system will return to normal
operation; the doors can be locked,
the interior lamps can be turned off,
and the hazard warning flashers can
be turned off using the controls for
those features. If any of these
systems are damaged in the crash
they may not operate as normal.
{Warning
A crash severe enough to inflate
the airbags may have also
damaged important functions in
the vehicle, such as the fuel
system, brake and steering
systems, etc. Even if the vehicle
appears to be drivable after a
moderate crash, there may be
concealed damage that could
make it difficult to safely operate
the vehicle.(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Use caution if you should attempt
to restart the engine after a crash
has occurred.
In many crashes severe enough to
inflate the airbag, windshields are
broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may
also occur from the front outboard
passenger airbag.
. Airbags are designed to inflate
only once. After an airbag
inflates, you will need some new
parts for the airbag system.
If you do not get them, the
airbag system will not be there
to help protect you in another
crash. A new system will include
airbag modules and possibly
other parts. The service manual
for the vehicle covers the need
to replace other parts.
. The vehicle has a crash sensing
and diagnostic module which
records information after a crash. See
Vehicle Data
Recording and Privacy 0331
and
Event Data Recorders 0332.
. Let only qualified technicians
work on the airbag systems.
Improper service can mean that
an airbag system will not work
properly. See your dealer for
service.
Passenger Sensing
System
The vehicle has a passenger
sensing system for the front
outboard passenger position. The
passenger airbag status indicator
will light on the overhead console
when the vehicle is started.
United States and Canada

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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104 Instruments and Controls
Charging System Light
The charging system light comes on
briefly when the ignition is turned
on, but the engine is not running, as
a check to show the light is working.
It should go out when the engine is
started.
If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving, there may be a
problem with the electrical charging
system. Have it checked by your
dealer. Driving while this light is on
could drain the battery.
When this light comes on, or is
flashing, the Driver Information
Center (DIC) also displays a
message.
If a short distance must be driven
with the light on, be sure to turn off
all accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine
Light)
This light is part of the vehicle’s
emission control on-board
diagnostic system. If this light is on
while the engine is running, a
malfunction has been detected and
the vehicle may require service. The
light should come on to show that it
is working when the ignition is in
Service Mode. SeeIgnition
Positions 0155.
Malfunctions are often indicated by
the system before any problem is
noticeable. Being aware of the light
and seeking service promptly when
it comes on may prevent damage.
Caution
If the vehicle is driven continually
with this light on, the emission
control system may not work as
well, the fuel economy may be
lower, and the vehicle may not
run smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Caution
Modifications to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake,
or fuel system, or the use of
replacement tires that do not
meet the original tire
specifications, can cause this light
to come on. This could lead to
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. This could also
affect the vehicle’s ability to pass
an Emissions Inspection/
(Continued)

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Instruments and Controls 115
change. To reset the engine oil life
system, seeEngine Oil Life System
0 221.
Oil Pressure : Oil pressure is
displayed in either kilopascal (kPa)
or in pounds per square inch (psi).
Oil pressure can vary with engine
speed, outside temperature, and oil
viscosity. On some models, the oil
pump will vary engine oil pressure
according to engine needs. Oil
pressure may change quickly as the
engine speed or load varies. This is
normal. If the oil pressure warning
light or Driver Information Center
(DIC) message indicates oil
pressure outside the normal
operating range, check the vehicle's
oil as soon as possible.
Air Filter Life : Shows an estimate
of the engine air filter ’s remaining
useful life and the state of the
system. Engine Air Filter Life 95%
means 95% of the current air filter
life remains. Messages will display
based on the engine air filter life and
the state of the system. When the
REPLACE AT NEXT OIL CHANGE
message displays, the engine air filter should be replaced at the time
of the next oil change. When the
REPLACE NOW message displays,
the engine air filter should be
replaced as soon as possible.
The Air Filter Life display must be
reset after the engine air filter
replacement. To reset, see
Engine
Air Filter Life System 0223.
Tire Pressure : Displays a vehicle
with the approximate pressures of
all four tires. Tire pressure is
displayed in either kilopascal (kPa)
or in pounds per square inch (psi).
See Tire Pressure Monitor System
0 259 and
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation
0 260.
Battery Voltage : Displays the
current battery voltage, if equipped.
Battery voltage changes are normal
while driving. See Charging System
Light 0104. If there is a problem
with the battery charging system,
the DIC will display a message. Coolant Temperature :
Shows the
engine coolant temperature in either
degrees Celsius (°C) or degrees
Fahrenheit (°F).
Speed Warning : This display is
used to set the vehicle speed at
which the speed warning chime
sounds and the alert is displayed.
The speed can be set by pressing
Vwhile the speed warning display
is showing.
Units : Move
worxto change
between Metric or US when the Unit
display is active. Press
Vto confirm
the setting. This will change the
displays on the DIC to the type of
measurements you select.
ECO Drive Assist Menu (ECO)
Items
Useworxto scroll through the
menu items. Not all items are
available on every vehicle.
Best Average Fuel Economy : The
bottom displays the best average
fuel economy (AFE) that is achieved