Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
20 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Vehicle Alarm System
This vehicle has an anti-theft alarm system.
The indicator light, on the instrument panel
near the windshield, indicates the status of
the system:
Off :Alarm system is disarmed.
On Solid : Vehicle is secured during the
delay to arm the system.
Fast Flash : Vehicle is unsecured. A door, the
hood, or the trunk is open.
Slow Flash : Alarm system is armed.
Arming the Alarm System
1. Close the trunk and the hood. Turn off
the vehicle.
2. Lock the vehicle in one of three ways:
.Use the RKE transmitter.
.Use the Keyless Access system,
if equipped.
.With a door open, press the
inside
Q.
3. After 30 seconds the alarm system will arm, and the indicator light will begin to
slowly flash indicating the alarm system
is operating. Pressing
Qon the RKE
transmitter a second time will bypass
the 30-second delay and immediately
arm the alarm system.
The vehicle alarm system will not arm if the
doors are locked with the key.
If the driver door is opened without first
unlocking with the RKE transmitter, the horn
will chirp and the lights will flash to indicate
pre-alarm. If the vehicle is not started,
or the door is not unlocked by pressing
K
on the RKE transmitter during the 10-second
pre-alarm, the alarm will be activated. If a door, the hood, or the trunk is opened
without first disarming the system, the turn
signals will flash and the horn will sound for
about 30 seconds. The alarm system will
then re-arm to monitor for the next
unauthorized event.
Disarming the Alarm System
Do one of the following to disarm the alarm
system or turn off the alarm if it has been
activated:
.PressKon the RKE transmitter.
.Unlock the vehicle using the Keyless
Access system, if equipped.
.Start the vehicle.
To avoid setting off the alarm by accident:
.Lock the vehicle after all occupants have
left the vehicle and all doors are closed.
.Always unlock a door with the RKE
transmitter or use the Keyless Access
system, if equipped.
Unlocking the driver door with the key will
not disarm the system or turn off the alarm.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
Keys, Doors, and Windows 21
How to Detect a Tamper Condition
IfKis pressed on the RKE transmitter and
the horn chirps and the lights flash three
times, an alarm occurred previously while
the alarm system was armed.
If the alarm has been activated, a message
will appear on the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
Immobilizer
See Radio Frequency Statement 0308.
Immobilizer Operation
This vehicle has a passive theft-deterrent
system.
The system does not have to be manually
armed or disarmed.
The vehicle is automatically immobilized
when the remote key leaves the vehicle.
The immobilization system is disarmed
when the ignition button is pushed in and a
valid remote key is in the vehicle.
The security light on the instrument cluster
comes on when there is a problem with
arming or disarming the theft-deterrent
system.
The system has one or more remote keys
matched to an immobilizer control unit in
the vehicle. Only a correctly matched
remote key will start the vehicle. If the
remote key is ever damaged, you may not
be able to start your vehicle.
When trying to start the vehicle, the
security light comes on briefly when the
ignition is turned on.
If the vehicle does not start and the security
light stays on, there is a problem with the
system. Turn the vehicle off and try again.
If the remote key appears to be undamaged,
try another remote key, or place the remote
key in the remote key pocket. See “Starting
the Vehicle with a Low Remote Key” under
Remote Key Operation 07. If the vehicle does not start with the other
remote key or when the remote key is in
the remote key pocket, the vehicle needs
service. See your dealer who can service the
theft-deterrent system and have a new
remote key programmed to the vehicle.
Do not leave the key or device that disarms
or deactivates the theft-deterrent system in
the vehicle.
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors
{Warning
A convex mirror can make things, like
other vehicles, look farther away than
they really are. If you cut too sharply
into the right lane, you could hit a
vehicle on the right. Check the inside
mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
The passenger side mirror is convex shaped.
A convex mirror surface is curved so more
can be seen from the driver seat.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
Seats and Restraints 35
If available, the buttons are on the climate
control panel. To operate, the engine must
be running.
Press
LorMto heat the driver or
passenger seat cushion and seatback.
Indicator lights on the button show the
current setting.
Press the button once for the highest
setting. With each press of the button, the
heated seat will change to the next lower
setting, and then to the off setting. The
lights indicate three for the highest setting
and one for the lowest.
The passenger seat may take longer to
heat up. Press
{orCto ventilate the driver or
passenger seat. Indicator lights on the
button show the current setting.
Press the button once for the highest
setting. With each press of the button, the
ventilated seat will change to the next lower
setting, and then to the off setting. The
lights indicate three for the highest setting
and one for the lowest.
Remote Start Heated and Ventilated Seats
During a remote start, the heated or
ventilated seats, if equipped, can be turned
on automatically. When it is cold outside,
the heated seats turn on, and when it is hot
outside the ventilated seats turn on. The
heated or ventilated seats may be canceled
when the vehicle is turned on. Press the
button to use the heated or ventilated seats
after the vehicle is started.
The heated or ventilated seat indicator lights
on the button may not turn on during a
remote start.
The heated seat temperature performance of
an unoccupied seat may be reduced. This is
normal. To enable or disable remote start heated or
ventilated seats, select Settings > Vehicle >
Remote Lock, Unlock, and Start > Remote
Start Auto Heat Seats or Remote Start Auto
Cool Seats > ON or OFF. See
Remote Vehicle
Start 013.
Rear Seats
Rear Seat Reminder
If equipped, the message REAR SEAT
REMINDER LOOK IN REAR SEAT displays
under certain conditions indicating there
may be an item or passenger in the rear
seat. Check before exiting the vehicle.
This feature will activate when a second row
door is opened while the vehicle is on or up
to 10 minutes before the vehicle is turned
on. There will be an alert when the vehicle
is turned off. The alert does not directly
detect objects in the rear seat; instead,
under certain conditions, it detects when a
rear door is opened and closed, indicating
that there may be something in the
rear seat.
The feature is active only once each time
the vehicle is turned on and off, and will
require reactivation by opening and closing
the second row doors. There may be an
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
74 Instruments and Controls
Instruments and Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . 84
Voltmeter Gauge (Uplevel Cluster Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . 87
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check
Engine Light) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . 90
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light (Uplevel Cluster Only) . . . . . . . . . . 92
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Door Ajar Light (Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Engine Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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80 Instruments and Controls
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning lights and gauges can signal that
something is wrong before it becomes
serious enough to cause an expensive repair
or replacement. Paying attention to the
warning lights and gauges could prevent
injury.
Some warning lights come on briefly when
the engine is started to indicate they are
working. When one of the warning lights
comes on and stays on while driving,
or when one of the gauges shows there
may be a problem, check the section that
explains what to do. Waiting to do repairs
can be costly and even dangerous.
Instrument Cluster
English Base Level Shown, Metric Similar
1.Tachometer 083
2. Fuel Gauge 083
3. Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
084
4. Speedometer 082 5.
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level) 095 or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) 098
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
Instruments and Controls 87
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
The vehicle has a passenger sensing system.
SeePassenger Sensing System 050 for
important safety information. The overhead
console has a passenger airbag status
indicator.
When the vehicle is started, the passenger
airbag status indicator will light ON and OFF,
and the symbols for on and off, for several
seconds as a system check. Then, after
several more seconds, the status indicator
will light either ON or OFF, and either the
on or off symbol, to let you know the
status of the front outboard passenger
frontal airbag and knee airbag.
If the word ON, and the on symbol, are lit
on the passenger airbag status indicator, it
means that the front outboard passenger
frontal airbag and knee airbag are allowed
to inflate. If the word OFF, and the off symbol, are lit
on the airbag status indicator, it means that
the passenger sensing system has turned off
the front outboard passenger frontal airbag
and knee airbag.
If, after several seconds, both status
indicator lights remain on, or if there are no
lights at all, there may be a problem with
the lights or the passenger sensing system.
See your dealer for service.
{Warning
If the airbag readiness light ever comes
on and stays on, it means that
something may be wrong with the airbag
system. To help avoid injury to yourself
or others, have the vehicle serviced right
away. See
Airbag Readiness Light 086
for more information, including important
safety information.
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. Find a
safe place to stop the vehicle.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
102 Lighting
Lighting
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . . . . . . . . 103
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer . . . 103
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . 104
Automatic Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . 104
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . 105
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel IlluminationControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Courtesy Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Battery Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Battery Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . 108
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-
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104 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.