
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
Climate Controls 161
Air Delivery Mode Controls :PressX,Y,
or
[to change the direction of the
airflow. Any combination of the three
buttons can be selected. The indicator light
in the button will turn on. The current mode
appears in the display screen. Pressing any
button cancels automatic air delivery control
and the direction of the airflow is controlled
manually. Press AUTO to return to
automatic operation.
To change the current mode, select one or
more of the following modes:
X: Air is directed to the windshield.
Y:Air is directed to the instrument panel
outlets.
[: Air is directed to the floor outlets.
0MAX : Air is directed to the windshield,
the fan runs at a higher speed, and the
temperature of the air is increased if not
already at maximum. This mode overrides
the previous mode selected and clears fog or
frost from the windshield more quickly.
When the button is pressed again, the
system returns to the previous mode setting
and fan speed. For best results, clear all snow and ice from
the windshield before defrosting.
A/C :
Press to turn the air conditioning
system on or off. If the fan control is turned
off or the outside temperature falls below
freezing, the air conditioner will not run.
Pressing this button cancels automatic air
conditioning and turns off the air
conditioner. Press AUTO to return to
automatic operation and the air conditioner
runs automatically as needed. When the
indicator light is on, the air conditioner runs
automatically to cool the air inside the
vehicle or to dry the air needed to defog
the windshield faster.
M: Press to turn on recirculation. An
indicator light comes on. Air is recirculated
to quickly cool the inside of the vehicle or
to reduce the entry of outside air and odors.
If selected during cool or cold weather, the
windshield and windows may fog. Turn off
recirculation to help clear the windshield
and windows. Auto Defog :
The climate control system
may have a sensor to automatically detect
high humidity inside the vehicle. When high
humidity is detected, the climate control
system may adjust to outside air supply and
turn on the air conditioner. The fan speed
may slightly increase to help prevent
fogging. If the climate control system does
not detect possible window fogging, it
returns to normal operation.
To turn Auto Defog off or on, select
Settings > Climate and Air Quality > Auto
Defog > Select ON or OFF.
Rear Window Defogger
K: Press to turn the rear window defogger
on or off. An indicator light on the button
comes on to show that the rear window
defogger is on. The rear window defogger
only works when the vehicle is on. The
defogger turns off when the vehicle is
turned off or to accessory mode.
The upper lines on the rear window are
antenna grids and are not intended to
defrost the glass.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
162 Climate Controls
The rear window defogger can be set to
automatic operation. To turn Auto Defog off
or on, select Settings > Climate and Air
Quality > Auto Rear Defog > Select ON or
OFF. When Auto Rear Defog is selected, the
rear window defogger turns on
automatically when the interior temperature
is cold and the outside temperature is about
7 °C (45 °F) and below. The auto rear
defogger turns off automatically.
If equipped with heated outside mirrors,
they turn on when the rear window
defogger button is on and help to clear fog
or frost from the surface of the mirror. See
Heated Mirrors022.
Caution
Do not try to clear frost or other material
from the inside of the front windshield
and rear window with a razor blade or
anything else that is sharp. This may
damage the rear window defogger grid
and affect the radio's ability to pick up
stations clearly. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Driver and Passenger Heated and Ventilated
Seats :
If equipped, press
LorMto heat
the driver or passenger seat.
If equipped, press
{orCto ventilate the
driver or passenger seat. See Heated and
Ventilated Front Seats 034.
Remote Start Climate Control Operation :
If equipped with remote start, the climate
control system may run when the vehicle is
started remotely. The system will determine
the best mode and temperature setting for
operation. 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. If equipped with heated or
ventilated seats, they may come on during a
remote start. See Remote Vehicle Start 013
and
Heated and Ventilated Front Seats 034.
Sensor
The solar sensor, on top of the instrument
panel near the windshield, monitors the
solar heat. The climate control system uses the sensor
information to adjust the temperature, fan
speed, recirculation, and air delivery mode
for best comfort.
Do not cover the sensor; otherwise the
automatic climate control system may not
work properly.
Afterblow Feature
If equipped, under certain conditions, the
fan may stay on or may turn on and off
several times after you turn off and lock the
vehicle. This is normal.
Air Vents

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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190 Driving and Operating
Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to end cruise control:
.Step lightly on the brake pedal.
.Press*.
.Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
.Press5to turn cruise control system off
completely.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is erased from
memory if
5is pressed or if the vehicle is
turned off.
Adaptive Cruise Control
(Advanced)
If equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control
(ACC), it allows you to select the cruise
control set speed and following gap. Read
this entire section before using this system.
The following gap is the following time
between your vehicle and a vehicle detected
directly ahead in your path moving in the
same direction. If no vehicle is detected in
your path, ACC works like regular cruise
control. ACC uses camera and radar sensors.
See Radio Frequency Statement 0308. If a vehicle is detected in your path, ACC can
apply acceleration or limited, moderate
braking to maintain the selected following
gap. To disengage ACC, apply the brake.
If ACC is controlling your vehicle speed
when the Traction Control System (TCS) or
StabiliTrak/Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
system activates, the ACC may automatically
disengage. See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control 0186. When road
conditions allow ACC to be safely used, the
ACC can be turned back on.
Disabling the TCS or StabiliTrak/ESC system
will disengage and prevent engagement
of ACC.
ACC can reduce the need for you to
frequently brake and accelerate, especially
when used on expressways, freeways, and
interstate highways. When used on other
roads, you may need to take over the
control of braking or acceleration more
often.
{Warning
ACC has limited braking ability and may
not have time to slow the vehicle down
enough to avoid a collision with another
vehicle you are following. This can occur
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
when vehicles suddenly slow or stop
ahead, or enter your lane. Also see
“Alerting the Driver”in this section.
Complete attention is always required
while driving and you should be ready to
take action and apply the brakes. See
Defensive Driving 0166.
{Warning
ACC will not detect or brake for children,
pedestrians, animals, or other objects.
Do not use ACC when:
.On winding and hilly roads or when
the sensors are blocked by snow, ice,
or dirt. The system may not detect a
vehicle ahead. Keep the entire front of
the vehicle clean.
.Visibility is low, such as in fog, rain,
or snow conditions. ACC performance
is limited under these conditions.
.On slippery roads where fast changes
in tire traction can cause excessive
wheel slip.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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194 Driving and Operating
It only displays when a vehicle is detected
in your vehicle’s path moving in the same
direction.
If this symbol is not displaying, ACC will not
respond to or brake to vehicles ahead.
ACC automatically slows the vehicle down
and adjusts vehicle speed to follow the
vehicle in front at the selected following
gap. The vehicle speed increases or
decreases to follow the vehicle in front of
you, but will not exceed the set speed.
It may apply limited braking, if necessary.
When braking is active, the brake lamps will
come on. The automatic braking may feel or
sound different than if the brakes were
applied manually. This is normal.
Stationary or Very Slow-Moving Objects
{Warning
ACC may not detect and react to stopped
or slow-moving vehicles ahead of you. For
example, the system may not brake for a
vehicle it has never detected moving. This
can occur in stop-and-go traffic or when a
vehicle suddenly appears due to a vehicle
ahead changing lanes. Your vehicle may
not stop and could cause a crash. Use(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
caution when using ACC. Your complete
attention is always required while driving
and you should be ready to take action
and apply the brakes.
Irregular Objects Affecting ACC
ACC may have difficulty detecting the
following objects:
.Vehicles with cargo extending from the
back end.
.Non-standard shaped vehicles, such as
vehicle transport, vehicles with a side car
fitted, or horse carriages.
.Objects that are close to the front of your
vehicle.
ACC Automatically Disengages
ACC may automatically disengage and the
driver will need to manually apply the
brakes to slow the vehicle if:
.The sensors are blocked.
.The Traction Control System (TCS) or
StabiliTrak/ESC has activated or been
disabled.
.There is a fault in the system.
.The radar falsely reports blockage when
driving in a desert or remote area with
no other vehicles or roadside objects.
A DIC message may display to indicate
that ACC is temporarily unavailable.
The ACC indicator will turn white when ACC
is no longer active. In some cases, when ACC
is temporarily unavailable, regular cruise
control may be used. See “Switching
Between ACC and Regular Cruise Control” in
this section. Always consider driving
conditions before using either cruise control
system.
Notification to Resume ACC
ACC will maintain a following gap behind a
detected vehicle and slow your vehicle to a
stop behind that vehicle.
If the stopped vehicle ahead has driven
away and ACC has not resumed, the vehicle
ahead indicator will flash as a reminder to
check traffic before proceeding. In addition,
three beeps will sound. Touch the Settings
icon on the infotainment home page. Select
“Vehicle” to display the list of available
options and select ”Alert Type”and
“Adaptive Cruise Go Notifier” in
“Collision/Detection Systems.”

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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Driving and Operating 197
Weather Conditions Affecting ACC
System operation may be limited under
snow, heavy rain, or road spray conditions.
Accessory Installations and Vehicle
Modifications
Do not install or place any object around
the front camera windshield area that would
obstruct the front camera view.
Do not install objects on top of the vehicle
that overhang and obstruct the front
camera, such as a canoe, kayak, or other
items that can be transported.
Do not modify the hood, headlamps, or fog
lamps, as this may limit the camera’s ability
to detect an object.
Cleaning the Sensing System
The camera sensor on the windshield ahead
of the rearview mirror and the radar sensors
on the front of the vehicle can become
blocked by snow, ice, dirt, or mud. These
areas need to be cleaned for ACC to operate
properly.
If ACC will not operate, regular cruise control
may be available. See“Switching Between
ACC and Regular Cruise Control” in this
section. Always consider driving conditions
before using either cruise control system. For cleaning instructions, see
“Washing the
Vehicle” underExterior Care 0280.
System operation may also be limited under
snow, heavy rain, or road spray conditions.
Driver Assistance Systems
This vehicle may have features that work
together to help avoid crashes or reduce
crash damage while driving, backing, and
parking. Read this entire section before
using these systems.
{Warning
Do not rely on the Driver Assistance
Systems. These systems do not replace
the need for paying attention and driving
safely. You may not hear or see alerts or
warnings provided by these systems.
Failure to use proper care when driving
may result in injury, death, or vehicle
damage. See Defensive Driving 0166.
Under many conditions, these systems
will not:
.Detect children, pedestrians, bicyclists,
or animals. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Detect vehicles or objects outside the
area monitored by the system.
.Work at all driving speeds.
.Warn you or provide you with enough
time to avoid a crash.
.Work under poor visibility or bad
weather conditions.
.Work if the detection sensor is not
cleaned or is covered by ice, snow,
mud, or dirt.
.Work if the detection sensor is
covered up, such as with a sticker,
magnet, or metal plate.
.Work if the area surrounding the
detection sensor is damaged or not
properly repaired.
Complete attention is always required
while driving, and you should be ready to
take action and apply the brakes and/or
steer the vehicle to avoid crashes.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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Driving and Operating 199
1. View Displayed by the Camera
1. View Displayed by the Camera
2. Corners of the Rear Bumper
Displayed images may be farther or closer
than they appear. The area displayed is
limited and objects that are close to either
corner of the bumper or under the bumper
do not display.
A warning triangle may appear on the
infotainment display to show that Rear Park
Assist (RPA) or Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
has detected an object. This triangle changes
from amber to red and increases in size the
closer the object.
{Warning
The camera(s) do not display children,
pedestrians, bicyclists, crossing traffic,
animals, or any other object outside of
the cameras’field of view, below the
bumper, or under the vehicle. Shown
distances may be different from actual
distances. Do not drive or park the
vehicle using only these camera(s).
Always check behind and around the
vehicle before driving. Failure to use
proper care may result in injury, death,
or vehicle damage.
Park Assist
With Front and Rear Park Assist (FRPA), as
the vehicle moves at speeds of less than
8 km/h (5 mph) the sensors on the bumpers
may detect objects up to 1.2 m (4 ft) in front
and 2.5 m (8 ft) behind the vehicle within a
zone 25 cm (10 in) high off the ground and
below bumper level. These detection
distances may be shorter during warmer or
humid weather. Blocked sensors will not
detect objects and can also cause false
detections. Keep the sensors clean of mud,
dirt, snow, ice, and slush; and clean sensors
after a car wash in freezing temperatures.
{Warning
The Park Assist system does not detect
children, pedestrians, bicyclists, animals,
or objects located below the bumper or
that are too close or too far from the
vehicle. It is not available at speeds
greater than 8 km/h (5 mph). To prevent
injury, death, or vehicle damage, even
with Park Assist, always check the area
around the vehicle and check all mirrors
before moving forward or backing.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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Driving and Operating 203
pedestrians or other objects. FCA will not
detect another vehicle ahead until it is
completely in the driving lane.
{Warning
FCA does not provide a warning to help
avoid a crash, unless it detects a vehicle.
FCA may not detect a vehicle ahead if
the FCA sensor is blocked by dirt, snow,
or ice, or if the windshield is damaged.
It may also not detect a vehicle on
winding or hilly roads, or in conditions
that can limit visibility such as fog, rain,
or snow, or if the headlamps or
windshield are not cleaned or in proper
condition. Keep the windshield,
headlamps, and FCA sensors clean and in
good repair.
Collision Alert
When your vehicle approaches another
detected vehicle too rapidly, the red FCA
display will flash on the windshield. Also,
eight rapid high-pitched beeps will sound
from the front. When this Collision Alert
occurs, the brake system may prepare for
driver braking to occur more rapidly which
can cause a brief, mild deceleration.
Continue to apply the brake pedal as the
driving situation dictates. Cruise control may
be disengaged when the Collision Alert
occurs.
Tailgating Alert
The vehicle ahead indicator will display
amber when you are following a detected
vehicle ahead much too closely.
Selecting the Alert Timing
The Collision Alert control is on the steering
wheel. Press
[to set the FCA timing to
far, medium, near, or on some vehicles, off. The first button press shows the current
control setting on the DIC. Additional button
presses will change this setting. The chosen
setting will remain until it is changed and
will affect the timing of both the Collision
Alert and the Tailgating Alert features. The
timing of both alerts will vary based on
vehicle speed. The faster the vehicle speed,
the farther away the alert will occur.
Consider traffic and weather conditions
when selecting the alert timing. The range
of selectable alert timing may not be
appropriate for all drivers and driving
conditions.
Following Distance Indicator
The following distance to a moving vehicle
you are following is indicated in following
time in seconds on the Driver Information
Center (DIC). See
Driver Information Center
(DIC) (Base Level) 095 or
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel)
0 98. The minimum following time is
0.5 seconds away. If there is no vehicle
detected ahead, or the vehicle ahead is out
of sensor range, dashes will be displayed.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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206 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
.Due to poor visibility, including
nighttime conditions, fog, rain,
or snow.
.If the FPB sensor is blocked by dirt,
snow, or ice.
.If the headlamps or windshield are not
cleaned or in proper condition.
Be ready to take action and apply the
brakes. For more information, see
Defensive Driving 0166. Keep the
windshield, headlamps, and FPB sensor
clean and in good repair.
FPB can be set to Off, Alert, or Alert and
Brake through vehicle settings. To view
available settings from the infotainment
screen, touch Settings > Vehicle > Collision/
Detection Systems.
Detecting the Pedestrian Ahead
FPB alerts and automatic braking will not
occur unless the FPB system detects a
pedestrian. When a pedestrian that may
enter the vehicle’s forward path is detected,
the pedestrian ahead indicator will display
amber.
Front Pedestrian Alert
When the vehicle approaches a pedestrian
ahead too rapidly, the red FPB alert display
will flash on the windshield. Eight rapid
high-pitched beeps will sound from the
front, or both sides of the Safety Alert Seat
will pulse five times. When this Pedestrian
Alert occurs, the brake system may prepare
for driver braking to occur more rapidly
which can cause a brief, mild deceleration.
Continue to apply the brake pedal as
needed. Cruise control may be disengaged
when the Front Pedestrian Alert occurs.
Automatic Braking
If FPB detects it is about to crash into a
pedestrian directly ahead, and the brakes
have not been applied, FPB may
automatically brake moderately or brake
hard. This can help to avoid some very low
speed pedestrian crashes or reduce
pedestrian injury. FPB can automatically
brake to detected pedestrians between
8 km/h (5 mph) and 80 km/h (50 mph).
Automatic braking levels may be reduced
under certain conditions, such as higher
speeds.
If this happens, Automatic Braking may
engage the Electric Parking Brake (EPB) to
hold the vehicle at a stop. Release the EPB.
A firm press of the accelerator pedal will
also release Automatic Braking and the EPB.
{Warning
FPB may alert or automatically brake the
vehicle suddenly in situations where it is
unexpected and undesired. It could falsely
alert or brake for objects similar in shape
or size to pedestrians, including shadows.
This is normal operation and the vehicle (Continued)