Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
Keys, Doors, and Windows 7
Keys, Doors, and
Windows
Keys and Locks
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . 16
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . 21
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Doors
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Vehicle Security
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Vehicle Alarm System . . . . . . . . . 24
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Immobilizer Operation . . . . . . . . . 25
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Reverse Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Interior Mirrors
Interior Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . 28
Manual Rearview Mirror . . . . . . . . 28
Automatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Windows
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Roof
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
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-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
8 Keys, Doors, and Windows
The key that is part of the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter can
be used for all locks.
To remove the key, press the button
near the bottom of the transmitter,
and pull the key out. Never pull the
key out without pressing the button.
If it becomes difficult to turn the key,
inspect the key blade for debris.
See your dealer if a new key is
needed.
If locked out of the vehicle, see
Roadside Assistance Program
0323.
With an active OnStar or connected
service plan, an OnStar Advisor
may remotely unlock the vehicle.
See OnStar Overview 0335.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
See Radio Frequency Statement
0 329.
If there is a decrease in the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) operating
range:
. Check the distance. The
transmitter may be too far from
the vehicle. .
Check the location. Other
vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal.
. Check the transmitter's battery.
See “Battery Replacement” later
in this section.
. If the transmitter is still not
working correctly, see your
dealer or a qualified technician
for service.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation
The Keyless Access system allows
for vehicle entry when the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter is
within 1 m (3 ft). See “Keyless
Access Operation” following.
The transmitter functions may work
up to 60 m (197 ft) away from the
vehicle.
Other conditions can impact the
performance of the transmitter. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System 08.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
Keys, Doors, and Windows 9
With Remote Start Shown
Q:Press to lock all doors.
The turn signal indicators may flash
and/or the horn may sound on the
second press to indicate locking.
See Vehicle Personalization 0120.
If the driver door is open when
Qis
pressed and Open Door
Anti-Lockout is enabled, all doors
will lock and then the driver door will
immediately unlock. See Vehicle
Personalization 0120.
If the passenger door is open when
Qis pressed, all doors lock. Pressing
Qmay also arm the alarm
system. See Vehicle Alarm System
0 24.
K:Press to unlock the driver door.
Press again within five seconds to
unlock all doors. The RKE
transmitter can be programmed to
unlock all doors on the first button
press. See Vehicle Personalization
0 120.
The turn signal indicators may flash
to indicate unlocking. See Vehicle
Personalization 0120.
Pressing
Kwill disarm the alarm
system. See Vehicle Alarm System
0 24.
X:Press twice quickly to release
the trunk.
7: Press and release one time to
initiate vehicle locator. The exterior
lamps flash and the horn chirps
three times.
Press and hold
7for at least
three seconds to sound the panic
alarm. The horn sounds and the turn signals flash for about
30 seconds until
7is pressed again
or the vehicle is started.
/: If equipped, pressQand
release and then press and hold
/
for at least four seconds to start the
engine from outside the vehicle
using the RKE transmitter. See
Remote Vehicle Start 016.
Keyless Access Operation
The Keyless Access system lets
you lock and unlock the doors and
access the trunk without removing
the RKE transmitter from your
pocket, purse, briefcase, etc. The
RKE transmitter should be within
1 m (3 ft) of the trunk or door being
opened. If equipped, there will be
buttons on the outside door
handles.
Keyless Access can be
programmed to unlock all doors on
the first unlock/lock button press
from the driver door. See Vehicle
Personalization 0120.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
10 Keys, Doors, and Windows
If equipped with memory seats, RKE
transmitters 1 and 2 are linked to
seating positions of memory 1 or 2.
SeeMemory Seats 038.
Keyless Unlocking/Locking from
the Driver Door
When the doors are locked and the
RKE transmitter is within 1 m (3 ft)
of the driver door handle, pressing
the lock/unlock button on the driver
door handle will unlock the driver
door. If the lock/unlock button is
pressed again within five seconds,
all passenger doors will unlock. Pull
the door handle to unlatch the door.
Driver Side Shown, Passenger Similar
Pressing the lock/unlock button will
cause all doors to lock if any of the
following occur:
. It has been no more than
five seconds since the first lock/
unlock button press.
. Two lock/unlock button presses
were used to unlock all doors.
. Any vehicle door has opened
and all doors are now closed. Keyless Unlocking/Locking from
Passenger Door(s)
When the doors are locked and the
RKE transmitter is within 1 m (3 ft)
of the door handle, pressing the
lock/unlock button on that door
handle will unlock the front doors or
all doors. See
“Passive Door
Unlock” inVehicle Personalization
0 120.
Pressing the lock/unlock button will
cause the front doors or all doors to
lock if any of the following occur:
. The lock/unlock button was used
to unlock all doors.
. Any vehicle door has opened
and all doors are now closed.
Disable/Enable Keyless Unlocking
of Exterior Door Handles and
Trunk
If equipped, keyless unlocking of the
exterior door handles and trunk can
be disabled and enabled.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
Keys, Doors, and Windows 11
Disabling Keyless Unlocking:
With the vehicle off, press and hold
QandKon the RKE transmitter at
the same time for approximately
three seconds. The turn signal
lamps will flash four times quickly to
indicate access is disabled. Using
any exterior handle to unlock the
doors or open the trunk will cause
the turn signal lamps to flash four
times quickly, indicating access is
disabled. If disabled, disarm the
alarm system before starting the
vehicle.
Enabling Keyless Unlocking:
With the vehicle off, press and
hold
QandKon the RKE
transmitter at the same time for
approximately three seconds. The
turn signal lamps will flash twice
quickly to indicate access is
enabled.
Passive Locking
This feature will lock the vehicle
several seconds after all doors are
closed, if the vehicle is off and at least one RKE transmitter has been
removed from the interior or none
remain in the interior.
If other electronic devices interfere
with the RKE transmitter signal, the
vehicle may not detect the RKE
transmitter inside the vehicle.
If passive locking is enabled, the
doors may lock with the RKE
transmitter inside the vehicle. Do
not leave the RKE transmitter in an
unattended vehicle.
To customize the doors to
automatically lock when exiting the
vehicle, see
Vehicle Personalization
0 120.
Temporary Disable of Passive
Locking
Temporarily disable passive locking
by pressing and holding
Kon the
interior door switch with a door open
for at least four seconds, or until
three chimes are heard. Passive
locking will then remain disabled
until
Qon the interior door is
pressed, or until the vehicle is
turned on. Remote Left In Vehicle Alert
When the vehicle is turned off and
an RKE transmitter is left in the
vehicle, the horn will chirp three
times after all doors are closed. To
turn on or off see
Vehicle
Personalization 0120.
Remote No Longer In Vehicle Alert
If the vehicle is on with a door open,
and then all doors are closed, the
vehicle will check for an RKE
transmitter inside. If an RKE
transmitter is not detected, the
Driver Information Center (DIC) will
display NO REMOTE DETECTED
and the horn will chirp three times.
This occurs only once each time the
vehicle is driven. See Vehicle
Personalization 0120.
Keyless Trunk Opening
Press the touch pad on the rear of
the trunk to open it if the RKE
transmitter is within 1 m (3 ft) of the
trunk.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
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-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
18 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Warning (Continued)
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
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:
.
PressQorKon the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
See Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation 08.
. 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 AccessThe 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
Operation 08.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
22 Keys, Doors, and Windows
1. Move the lever forward to thelock 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)