Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Introduction 5
1.Air Vents 0169.
2. Turn Signal Lever. See Turn and
Lane-Change Signals 0107.
IntelliBeam System Button (If Equipped).
See Exterior Lamp Controls 0104.
3. Instrument Cluster 080.
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level) 094 or
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel)
0 96.
4. Windshield Wiper/Washer 075.
5. Light Sensor. See Automatic Headlamp
System 0106.
6. Infotainment. See Overview0111.
7. Climate Control Systems 0164.
Dual Automatic Climate Control System
0 166 (If Equipped).
8. Hazard Warning Flashers 0106.
Stop/Start Disable Button (If Equipped).
See Stop/Start System 0184.
9. Power Outlets 077.
10. Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0193.
Assistance Systems for Parking or Backing
0 205 (If Equipped). 11. Shift Lever. See
Automatic Transmission
0 188.
12. Electric Parking Brake 0192 (If Equipped).
13. USB Port 0120.
14. ENGINE START/STOP Button. See Ignition
Positions 0182.
15. Steering Wheel Controls 075.
Driver Information Center Buttons. See
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level) 094 or
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel)
0 96.
16. Horn 075.
17. Steering Wheel Adjustment 075 (Out
of View).
18. Cruise Control 0195.
Adaptive Cruise Control (Advanced) 0197
(If Equipped).
Heated Steering Wheel 075 (If
Equipped).
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System
0 209 (If Equipped).
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) 0216 (If
Equipped).
19. Hood Release. See Hood0229. 20. Data Link Connector (Out of View). See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check
Engine Light) 087.
21. Parking Brake 0191 (If Equipped).
22. Exterior Lamp Controls 0104.
23. Instrument Panel Illumination Control
0107.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
22 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Memory Mirrors
The vehicle may have memory mirrors. See
Memory Seats032.
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA)
The vehicle may have SBZA. See Side Blind
Zone Alert (SBZA) 0214.
Lane Change Alert (LCA)
The vehicle may have LCA. See Lane Change
Alert (LCA) 0214.
Turn Signal Indicator
The vehicle may have a turn signal indicator
on the mirror housings. The indicator will
flash when a turn signal or the hazard
warning flashers are used.
Folding Mirrors
Manual Folding Mirrors
The mirrors can be folded inward toward
the vehicle to prevent damage when going
through an automatic car wash. Push the
mirror outward to return it to the original
position.
Heated Mirrors
If equipped with heated mirrors:
K: The rear window defogger also heats
the outside mirrors.
See Dual Automatic Climate Control System
0 166.
Reverse Tilt Mirrors
If equipped with reverse tilt mirrors and
memory seats, the passenger and/or driver
mirror tilts to a preselected position when
the vehicle is in R (Reverse). This allows the
curb to be seen when parallel parking.
The mirror(s) may move from their tilted
position when:
.The vehicle is shifted out of R (Reverse),
or remains in R (Reverse) for about
30 seconds.
.The vehicle is turned off.
.The vehicle is driven in R (Reverse) above
a set speed.
To turn this feature on or off, see Vehicle
Personalization 0100.
Interior Mirrors
Interior Rearview Mirrors
Adjust the rearview mirror for a clear view
of the area behind the vehicle.
Do not spray glass cleaner directly on the
mirror. Use a soft towel dampened with
water.
Manual Rearview Mirror
If equipped, push the tab forward for
daytime use and pull it rearward for
nighttime use to avoid glare of the
headlamps from behind.
Automatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror
If equipped, automatic dimming reduces the
glare of headlamps from behind. The
dimming feature comes on when the vehicle
is started.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Instruments and Controls 93
Uplevel
A Low Fuel Warning Light near the fuel
gauge comes on briefly when the ignition is
turned on as a check to show it is working.
It also comes on when the fuel gauge
indicator nears empty. The light turns off
when fuel is added. If it does not, have the
vehicle serviced.
Security Light
The security light should come on briefly as
the engine is started. If it 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 stays on and the engine does
not start, there could be a problem with the
theft-deterrent system. See
Immobilizer
Operation 020.
High-Beam On Light
This light comes on when the high-beam
headlamps are in use. See Headlamp High/
Low-Beam Changer 0105.
IntelliBeam Light
This light comes on when the IntelliBeam
system, if equipped, is enabled. See Exterior
Lamp Controls 0104.
Lamps On Reminder
This light comes on when the exterior lamps
are in use, except when only the Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL) are active. See Exterior
Lamp Controls 0104.
Cruise Control Light
The cruise control light is white when the
cruise control is on and ready, and turns
green when the cruise control is set and
active. See Cruise Control 0195.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
102 Instruments and Controls
Vehicle Locator Lights
This setting flashes the vehicle’s headlamps
when
Kis pressed on the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter.
Touch Off or On.
Exit Lighting
This setting specifies how long the
headlamps stay on after the vehicle is
turned off and exited.
Touch Off, 30 Seconds, 60 Seconds,
or 120 Seconds.
Power Door Locks
Touch and the following may display:
.Open Door Anti Lock Out
.Auto Door Unlock
.Delayed Door Lock
Open Door Anti Lock Out
This setting prevents the driver door from
locking when the door is open. If this
setting is on, the Delayed Door Lock menu
will not be available.
Touch Off or On. Auto Door Unlock
This allows selection of which of the doors
will automatically unlock when the vehicle is
shifted into P (Park).
Touch Off, All Doors, or Driver Door.
Delayed Door Lock
When on, this feature will delay the locking
of the doors. To override the delay, press
the power door lock switch on the door.
Touch Off or On.
Remote Lock, Unlock, and Start
Touch and the following may display:
.Remote Unlock Light Feedback
.Remote Lock Feedback
.Remote Door Unlock
.Remote Start Auto Cool Seats
.Remote Start Auto Heat Seats
.Remote Window Operation
.Passive Door Unlock
.Passive Door Lock
.Remote Left in Vehicle Alert
Remote Unlock Light Feedback
This setting flashes the exterior lamps when
the vehicle is unlocked with the RKE
transmitter.
Touch Off or Flash Lights.
Remote Lock Feedback
This setting specifies how the vehicle
responds when the vehicle is locked with
the RKE transmitter.
Touch Off, Lights and Horn, Lights Only,
or Horn Only.
Remote Door Unlock
This setting specifies whether all doors,
or just the driver door, unlock when pressing
Kon the RKE transmitter.
Touch All Doors or Driver Door.
Remote Start Auto Cool Seats
If equipped and turned on, this feature will
turn the ventilated seats on when using
remote start on warm days.
Touch Off, On-Driver and Passenger,
or On-Driver.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
104 Lighting
Lighting
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . . . . . . . . 105
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer . . . 105
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . 106
Automatic Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . 106
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . 107
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel IlluminationControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Courtesy Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Battery Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Battery Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . 109
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls
The exterior lamp control is on the
instrument panel to the left of the steering
column.
O: Turns the exterior lamps off and
deactivates the AUTO mode. Turn to
O
again to reactivate the AUTO mode.
In Canada, the headlamps will automatically
reactivate when the vehicle is shifted out of
P (Park).
AUTO : Turns the exterior lamps on and off
automatically depending on outside 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
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Lighting 105
To enable the IntelliBeam system, press
bon the turn signal lever when the
exterior lamp control is in the AUTO or
5
position.
Driving with IntelliBeam
The system only activates the high beams
when driving over 40 km/h (25 mph).
The blue high-beam on light appears on the
instrument cluster when the high beams
are on.
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
5position. The instrument
cluster light will come on to indicate the
IntelliBeam system is reactivated.
The high beams may not turn off
automatically if the system cannot detect
another vehicle's lamps because of any of
the following:
.The other vehicle's lamps are missing,
damaged, obstructed from view,
or otherwise undetected.
.The other vehicle's lamps are covered
with dirt, snow, and/or road spray.
.The other vehicle's lamps cannot be
detected due to dense exhaust, smoke,
fog, snow, road spray, mist, or other
airborne obstructions.
.The vehicle's windshield is dirty, cracked,
or obstructed by something that blocks
the view of the light sensor.
.The vehicle is loaded such that the front
end points upward, causing the light
sensor to aim high and not detect
headlamps and taillamps.
.Driving on winding or hilly roads. The IntelliBeam system may need to be
disabled if any of the above conditions exist.
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder
A warning chime sounds if the driver door is
opened while the ignition is off and the
exterior lamps are on.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
3:
Push the turn signal lever away from
you and release, to turn the high beams on.
To return to low beams, push the lever
again or pull it toward you and release.
This indicator light turns on in the
instrument cluster when the high-beam
headlamps are on.
Flash-to-Pass
To flash the high beams, pull the turn signal
lever toward you, and release.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
106 Lighting
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
DRL can make it easier for others to see the
front of your vehicle during the day. Fully
functional DRL are required on all vehicles
first sold in Canada.
The DRL system comes on in daylight when
the following conditions are met:
.The ignition is on.
.The exterior lamp control is in AUTO,
if equipped.
.The light sensor determines it is daytime.
.The vehicle is not in P (Park).
When the DRL are on, the taillamps,
sidemarker lamps, instrument panel lights,
and other lamps will not be on.
The DRLs turn off if the Exterior Lamp
control is placed out of AUTO. For vehicles
first sold in Canada, the DRL can only be
turned off when the vehicle is parked.
Automatic Headlamp System
The headlamps come on automatically when
the exterior lamp control is set to AUTO and
it is dark enough outside.
There is a light sensor on top of the
instrument panel. Do not cover the sensor,
otherwise the headlamps will come on when
they are not needed.
The system may also turn on the headlamps
when driving through a parking garage or
tunnel.
When it is bright enough outside, the
headlamps will turn off or may change to
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).
The automatic headlamp system turns off
when the exterior lamp control is turned to
Oor the ignition is off.
Lights On with Wipers
If the windshield wipers are activated in
daylight with the engine on, and the
exterior lamp control is in AUTO, the
headlamps, parking lamps, and other
exterior lamps come on. The transition time
for the lamps coming on varies based on
wiper speed. When the wipers are not
operating, these lamps turn off. Move the
exterior lamp control to
Oor;to disable
this feature.
Hazard Warning Flashers
|: Press this button to make the front
and rear turn signal lamps flash on and off.
Press again to turn the flashers off.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Lighting 107
The hazard warning flashers turn on
automatically if the airbags deploy.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
Move the lever all the way up or down to
signal a turn.
An arrow on the instrument cluster flashes
in the direction of the turn or lane change.
Raise or lower the lever until the arrow
starts to flash to signal a lane change. Hold
it there until the lane change is completed.
If the lever is briefly pressed and released,
the turn signal flashes three times.
The turn and lane-change signal can be
turned off manually by moving the lever
back to its original position.
If after signaling a turn or lane change, the
arrow flashes rapidly or does not come on, a
signal bulb may be burned out.Replace any burned out bulbs. If a bulb is
not burned out, check the fuse. See
Fuses
and Circuit Breakers 0253.
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel Illumination
Control
This feature adjusts the brightness of all
illuminated controls. The instrument panel
illumination control is next to the exterior
lamp control.
Push the knob in all the way until it extends
out and then turn the knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to brighten or dim the
lights. Push the knob back in when finished.
The knob is functional at night, or when the
headlamps or parking lamps are ON.
Courtesy Lamps
The courtesy lamps come on when any door
is opened unless the dome lamp override is
activated. To deactivate the dome lamp
override, press
jOFF and the indicator
light on the button will turn off.
Dome Lamps
Dome Lamp Controls