
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
36 Seats and Restraints
Folding the Seatback
Either side of the seatback can be folded
down for more cargo space. Fold a seatback
only when the vehicle is not moving.
Caution
Folding a rear seat with the seat belts
still fastened may cause damage to the
seat or the seat belts. Always unbuckle
the seat belts and return them to their
normal stowed position before folding a
rear seat.
The release levers for folding the rear
seatbacks are located in the trunk. To fold
the seatback down: 1. Lower the rear seat head restraints completely. See Head Restraints027.
2. Lift the rear seat armrest and place it in the folded position, if necessary. See
Rear Seat Armrest 037.
3. Disconnect the rear seat belt mini-latch,
using a key in the slot on the
mini-buckle.
Let the belt retract.
4. Open the trunk and pull the seatbackrelease lever to fold the rear seat.
5. Fold the seatback forward.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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Seats and Restraints 43
To unlatch the belt, push the button on the
buckle. The belt should return to its stowed
position.
Always stow the seat belt slowly. If the seat
belt webbing returns quickly to the stowed
position, the retractor may lock and cannot
be pulled out. If this happens, pull the seat
belt straight out firmly to unlock the
webbing, and then release it. If the webbing
is still locked in the retractor, see your
dealer.
Before a door is closed, be sure the seat belt
is out of the way. If a door is slammed
against a seat belt, damage can occur to
both the seat belt and the vehicle.
Seat Belt Pretensioners
This vehicle has seat belt pretensioners for
the front outboard occupants. Although the
seat belt pretensioners cannot be seen, they
are part of the seat belt assembly. They can
help tighten the seat belts during the early
stages of a moderate to severe frontal, near
frontal, or rear crash if the threshold
conditions for pretensioner activation are
met. Seat belt pretensioners can also help
tighten the seat belts in a side crash or a
rollover event.Pretensioners work only once. If the
pretensioners activate in a crash, the
pretensioners and probably other parts of
the vehicle's seat belt system will need to
be replaced. See
Replacing Seat Belt System
Parts after a Crash 044.
Do not sit on the outboard seat belt while
entering or exiting the vehicle or at any
time while sitting in the seat. Sitting on the
seat belt can damage the webbing and
hardware.
Rear Seat Belt Comfort Guides
Rear seat belt comfort guides may provide
added seat belt comfort for older children
who have outgrown booster seats and for
some adults. When installed on a shoulder
belt, the comfort guide positions the
shoulder belt away from the neck and head.
Comfort guides are available through your
dealer for the rear outboard seating
positions. Instructions are included with the
guides.
Seat Belt Use During Pregnancy
Seat belts work for everyone, including
pregnant women. Like all occupants, they
are more likely to be seriously injured if
they do not wear seat belts.
A pregnant woman should wear a
lap-shoulder belt, and the lap portion should
be worn as low as possible, below the
rounding, throughout the pregnancy.
The best way to protect the fetus is to
protect the mother. When a seat belt is
worn properly, it is more likely that the
fetus will not be hurt in a crash. For
pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to
making seat belts effective is wearing them
properly.
Seat Belt Extender
If the vehicle's seat belt will fasten around
you, you should use it.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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78 Instruments and Controls
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)0186. 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
See High Voltage Devices and Wiring 0253.
Wireless Charging
If equipped, the vehicle has a wireless
charging pocket outside the armrest of the
center console. The system operates at 145
kHz and wirelessly charges one Qi
compatible smartphone. The power output
of the system is capable of charging at a rate up to 3 amp (15W), as requested by the
compatible smartphone. See
Radio
Frequency Statement 0328.
{Warning
Wireless charging can affect the
operation of an implanted pacemaker or
other medical devices. If you have one, it
is recommended to consult with your
doctor before using the wireless charging
system.
The vehicle must be on, in ACC/ACCESSORY,
or Retained Accessory Power (RAP) must be
active. The wireless charging feature may
not correctly indicate charging when the
vehicle is in RAP or during Bluetooth phone
calls. See Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
0 186.
The operating temperature is −20 °C (−4 °F)
to 60 °C (140 °F) for the charging system
and 0 °C (32 °F) to 35 °C (95 °F) for the
smartphone.
{Warning
Remove all objects from the charging
pocket before charging your compatible
smartphone. Objects, such as coins, keys,
rings, paper clips, or cards, between the
smartphone and the charger will become
very hot. On the rare occasion that the
charging system does not detect an
object, and the object gets wedged
between the smartphone and the
charger, remove the smartphone and
allow the object to cool before removing
it from the charging pocket, to prevent
burns.
To charge a compatible smartphone:

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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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-
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Instruments and Controls 103
Remote Start Auto Heat Seats
This setting automatically turns on the
heated seats when using the remote start
function on cold days. SeeHeated and
Ventilated Front Seats 034 and
Remote Vehicle Start 013.
Touch Off, On-Driver and Passenger,
or On-Driver.
Remote Window Operation
This allows the windows to be opened when
pressing and holding
Kon the RKE
transmitter. See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation 07.
Touch Off or On.
Passive Door Unlock
This setting specifies which doors unlock
when using the button on the driver door
handle to unlock the vehicle.
Touch Off, All Doors, or Driver Door Only.
Passive Door Lock
This setting specifies if the vehicle will
automatically lock, or lock and provide an
alert after all the doors are closed, and you
walk away from the vehicle with the RKE
transmitter. See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation 07. Touch Off, On with Horn Chirp, or On.
Remote Left in Vehicle Alert
This feature sounds an alert when the RKE
transmitter is left in the vehicle. This menu
also enables Remote No Longer in Vehicle
Alert.
Touch Off or On.
Seating Position
Touch and the following may display:
.Seat Entry Memory
.Seat Exit Memory
Seat Entry Memory
This feature automatically recalls the
previously stored 1 or 2 button positions
when the ignition is changed from off to on
or ACC/ACCESSORY. See Memory Seats032.
Touch Off or On.
Seat Exit Memory
This feature automatically recalls the
previously stored exit button positions when
the ignition is changed from on or ACC/
ACCESSORY to off if the driver door is open
or opened. See Memory Seats032.
Touch Off or On.
Teen Driver
See Teen Driver 0153.
Valet Mode
This will lock the infotainment system and
steering wheel controls. It may also limit
access to vehicle storage locations,
if equipped.
To enable valet mode:
1. Enter a four-digit code on the keypad.
2. Select Enter to go to the confirmation screen.
3. Re-enter the four-digit code.
Touch Lock or Unlock to lock or unlock the
system. Touch Back to go back to the
previous menu.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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108 Lighting
Center Dome Lamp
The dome lamp controls are in the overhead
console.
To operate, press the following buttons:
+ ON/OFF : Press to turn the dome lamps
on manually.
jOFF : Press to turn off the dome
lamps when a door is open. An indicator
light on the button will turn on when the
dome lamp override is activated. Press
j
OFF again to deactivate this feature and the
indicator light will turn off. The dome lamps
will come on when doors are opened.
Reading Lamps
There may be front and rear reading lamps.
If equipped, the front reading lamps are in
the overhead console.
Press the lamp lenses to turn the reading
lamps on or off.
If equipped, the rear reading lamps are in
the headliner.
Press the button near each lamp to turn
reading lamps on or off.
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting
Some exterior lamps and most of the
interior lamps turn on briefly at night or in
areas with limited lighting when the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter
Kbutton is
pressed. See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation 07. After about
30 seconds the exterior lamps turn off, then
the dome lamps and remaining interior

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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116 Infotainment System
Cleaning High Gloss Surfaces and Vehicle
Information and Radio Displays
For vehicles with high gloss surfaces or
vehicle displays, use a microfiber cloth to
wipe surfaces. Before wiping the surface
with the microfiber cloth, use a soft bristle
brush to remove dirt that could scratch the
surface. Then use the microfiber cloth by
gently rubbing to clean. Never use window
cleaners or solvents. Periodically hand wash
the microfiber cloth separately, using mild
soap. Do not use bleach or fabric softener.
Rinse thoroughly and air dry before
next use.
Software Updates
Over-the-Air Software Updates
If equipped, see“Updates”underSettings
0 147 for details on software updates.
Radio
AM-FM Radio
Playing the Radio
From the Home Page, touch the Audio icon
to display the active audio source page.
Choose from the three most recently used sources listed at the left side of the display
or touch the More option to display a list of
available sources. Examples of available
sources may include AM, FM, SXM (if
equipped), MyMedia, USB, and Bluetooth.
Infotainment System Sound Menu
From any of the audio source main pages,
touch Sound to display the following:
Equalizer :
Touch to adjust Bass, Midrange,
Treble, and Surround (if equipped) using the
options on the infotainment display.
Fade/Balance : Touch to adjust by using the
controls on the infotainment display or by
tapping/dragging the crosshair.
Finding a Station
Seeking a Station
From the AM, FM, or SXM (if equipped)
option, press
6or7on the center stack
to search for the previous or next strong
station or channel.
Browsing Stations
Touch the Browse option to list all available
stations or channels. Navigate up and down
through all stations by scrolling the list.
Touch the station or channel you want to
listen to. Touch
Hto save the station or
channel as a favorite.
If equipped, touch Update Station List to
update the active stations in your area.
Direct Tune
Access Direct Tune by touching the Tune
icon on the infotainment display to bring up
the keypad. Navigate through all frequencies
using the arrows on the right side of the

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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Infotainment System 117
Direct Tune display. Directly enter a station
or channel using the keypad. When a new
station or channel is entered, the
information about that station or channel
displays on the right side. This information
will update with each new valid frequency.
Touch
Hto save the station or channel as
a favorite.
The keypad will gray out entries that do not
contribute to a valid frequency and will
automatically place a decimal point within
the frequency number.
Touch (X) to delete one number at a time.
Touch and hold (X) to delete all numbers.
A valid AM or FM station will automatically
tune to the new frequency but not close the
Direct Tune display. When listening to SXM
(if equipped), touch Go after entering the
channel. Touch the Back icon on the
infotainment display or touch
zto exit out
of Direct Tune.
The tune arrows on the right side of the
Direct Tune display will tune through the
complete station or channel list one station
step at a time per touch. A touch and hold
advances through stations or channels
quickly. If equipped, HD Radio multicast stations
cannot be tuned directly through the Direct
Tune feature. Only the analog or
HD1 station can use that feature. Use the
display arrows to adjust to the multicast
stations.
AM, FM, and SXM Categories
From the AM stations, if equipped with HD
Radio, FM, or SXM (if equipped) display,
touch Categories at the top of the Browse
menu to access the categories list. The list
contains names associated with the AM or
FM stations, or SXM channels. Touch a
category name to display a list of stations
or channels for that category. Touching a
station or channel from the list will tune the
radio to that station or channel.
Storing Radio Station Presets
Favorites show in the area at the top of the
display.
AM, FM, SXM (if equipped), and HD Radio
Stations (if equipped) :
Press and hold a
preset to store the current station or
channel as a favorite. Touch a saved favorite
to recall a favorite station or channel.
Favorites can also be stored by touching
H
in a station or channel list. This will
highlight indicating that it is now saved as a
favorite.
The number of favorites displayed is
automatically adjusted by default, but can
be manually adjusted in Settings in the
System tab under Favorites and then Set
Number of Audio Favorites. It can also be
adjusted in Settings in the Apps tab under
Audio and then Set Number of Audio
Favorites.
HD Radio Technology
If equipped, HD Radio is a free service with
features such as digital quality sound, more
stations available on a single frequency such
as HD2 and HD3, and display information
such as artist and song title.