Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
6 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Keys, Doors, and
Windows
Keys and Locks
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Remote Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Remote Key Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Doors
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Vehicle Security
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Vehicle Alarm System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Immobilizer Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Reverse Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Interior Mirrors
Interior Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Manual Rearview Mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror . . . 23
Windows
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Roof
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
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-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
Keys, Doors, and Windows 23
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.
Windows{
Warning
Never leave a child, a helpless adult, or a
pet alone in a vehicle, especially with the
windows closed in warm or hot weather.
They can be overcome by the extreme
heat and suffer permanent injuries or
even death from heat stroke.
The vehicle aerodynamics are designed to
improve fuel economy performance. This
may result in a pulsing sound when either
rear window is down and the front windows
are up. To reduce the sound, open either a
front window or the sunroof, if equipped.
Power Windows
{Warning
Children could be seriously injured or
killed if caught in the path of a closing
window. Never leave the remote key in a
vehicle with children. When there are (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
children in the rear seat, use the window
lockout switch to prevent operation of
the windows. SeeKeys06.
The power windows work when the vehicle
is on, in accessory mode, or when Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) is active. See
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) 0179.
Using the window switch, press to open or
pull to close the window.
The windows may be temporarily disabled if
they are used repeatedly within a
short time.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
Keys, Doors, and Windows 25
Sun Visors
Pull the sun visor down to block glare.
Detach the sun visor from the center mount
to pivot to the side window, or to extend
along the rod, if available.
The vehicle may have mirror lamps. The
lamps turn on and off when the cover is
opened and closed.
Roof
Sunroof
If equipped, the ignition must be on or in
accessory mode, or Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) must be active to operate the
sunroof. SeeIgnition Positions 0175 and
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) 0179.
1. Sunroof Switch
2. Sunshade Switch
Sunroof Express Operation
Press and release
D(1) to vent. Press and
release again to express-open. Press
D(1)
at any time to stop movement. Press and
release
g(1) to express-close. Press
g(1) at any time to stop movement.
Sunroof Manual Operation
The sunroof can change to manual mode by
holding
D(1) while opening. The sunroof
will now open as long as
D(1) is held.
Press and release again to change back to
express operation. Power Sunshade Express Operation
Press and release
C(2) to express-open the
power sunshade. Press
C(2) at any time to
stop movement. Press and release
Q(2)
to express-close the power sunshade. Press
Q(2) at any time to stop movement.
Power Sunshade Manual Operation
The power sunshade can change to manual
mode by holding
C(2) while opening. The
power sunshade will now open as long as
C(2) is held. Press and release again to
change back to express operation.
The sunroof cannot be opened or closed if
the vehicle has an electrical failure.
Automatic Reversal System
The sunroof has an automatic reversal
system that is only active when the sunroof
is operated in express-close mode.
If an object is in the path while express
closing, the reversal system will detect an
object, stop, and open the sunroof or power
shade slightly.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
26 Keys, Doors, and Windows
If frost or other conditions prevent closing,
override the feature by closing the sunroof
in manual mode. To stop movement, release
the switch.
Dirt and debris may collect on the sunroof
seal or in the track. This could cause an
issue with sunroof operation or noise.
It could also plug the water drainage
system. Periodically open the sunroof and
remove any obstacles or loose debris. Wipe
the sunroof seal and roof sealing area using
a clean cloth, mild soap, and water. Do not
remove grease from the sunroof.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
Seats and Restraints 45
.A knee airbag for the driver
.A knee airbag for the front outboard
passenger
.A seat-mounted side impact airbag for the
driver
.A seat-mounted side impact airbag for the
front outboard passenger
.Seat-mounted side impact airbags for the
second row outboard passengers
.A roof-rail airbag for the driver and the
passenger seated directly behind the
driver
.A roof-rail airbag for the front outboard
passenger and the passenger seated
directly behind the front outboard
passenger
All vehicle airbags have the word AIRBAG on
the trim or on a label near the deployment
opening.
For frontal airbags, the word AIRBAG is on
the center of the steering wheel for the
driver and on the instrument panel for the
front outboard passenger.
For knee airbags, the word AIRBAG is on the
lower part of the instrument panel. For seat-mounted side impact airbags, the
word AIRBAG is on the side of the seatback
or side of the seat closest to the door.
For roof-rail airbags, the word AIRBAG is on
the ceiling or trim.
Airbags are designed to supplement the
protection provided by seat belts. Even
though today's airbags are also designed to
help reduce the risk of injury from the force
of an inflating bag, all airbags must inflate
very quickly to do their job.
Here are the most important things to know
about the airbag system:
{Warning
You can be severely injured or killed in a
crash if you are not wearing your seat
belt, even with airbags. Airbags are
designed to work with seat belts, not
replace them. Also, airbags are not
designed to inflate in every crash. In
some crashes seat belts are the only
restraint. See
When Should an Airbag
Inflate? 047.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Wearing your seat belt during a crash
helps reduce your chance of hitting
things inside the vehicle or being ejected
from it. Airbags are“supplemental
restraints” to the seat belts. Everyone in
the vehicle should wear a seat belt
properly, whether or not there is an
airbag for that person.
{Warning
Because airbags inflate with great force
and faster than the blink of an eye,
anyone who is up against, or very close
to, any airbag when it inflates can be
seriously injured or killed. Do not sit
unnecessarily close to any airbag, as you
would be if sitting on the edge of the
seat or leaning forward. Seat belts help
keep you in position before and during a
crash. Always wear a seat belt, even with
airbags. The driver should sit as far back
as possible while still maintaining control
of the vehicle. The seat belts and the
front outboard passenger airbags are (Continued)
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
46 Seats and Restraints
Warning (Continued)
most effective when you are sitting well
back and upright in the seat with both
feet on the floor.
Occupants should not lean on or sleep
against the door or side windows in
seating positions with seat-mounted side
impact airbags and/or roof-rail airbags.
{Warning
Children who are up against, or very
close to, any airbag when it inflates can
be seriously injured or killed. Always
secure children properly in the vehicle. To
read how, seeOlder Children 054 or
Infants and Young Children 056.
There is an airbag readiness light on the
instrument cluster, which shows the airbag
symbol. The system checks the airbag
electrical system for malfunctions. The light
tells you if there is an electrical problem.
See Airbag Readiness Light 086.
Where Are the Airbags?
The driver frontal airbag is in the center of
the steering wheel.
The front outboard passenger frontal airbag
is in the passenger side instrument panel.
The driver knee airbag is below the steering
column. The front outboard passenger knee
airbag is below the glove box.
Driver Side Shown, Passenger Side Similar
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
Seats and Restraints 47
The seat-mounted side impact airbags for
the driver and front outboard passenger are
in the side of the seatbacks closest to
the door.
The roof-rail airbags for the driver, front
outboard passenger, and second row
outboard passengers are in the ceiling above
the side windows.
Rear Seat Driver Side Shown, Passenger SideSimilar
On vehicles with second row seat-mounted
side impact airbags, they are in the sides of
the rear seatback closest to the door.
{Warning
If something is between an occupant and
an airbag, the airbag might not inflate
properly or it might force the object into
that person causing severe injury or even
death. The path of an inflating airbag
must be kept clear. Do not put anything
between an occupant and an airbag, and
do not attach or put anything on the
steering wheel hub or on or near any
other airbag covering.
Do not use seat accessories that block the
inflation path of a seat-mounted side
impact airbag.
Never secure anything to the roof of a
vehicle with roof-rail airbags by routing a
rope or tie‐down through any door or
window opening. If you do, the path of
an inflating roof-rail airbag will be
blocked.
When Should an Airbag Inflate?
This vehicle is equipped with airbags. See
Airbag System 044. Airbags are designed to
inflate if the impact exceeds the specific
airbag system's deployment threshold. Deployment thresholds are used to predict
how severe a crash is likely to be in time
for the airbags to inflate and help restrain
the occupants. The vehicle has electronic
sensors that help the airbag system
determine the severity of the impact.
Deployment thresholds can vary with
specific vehicle design.
Frontal airbags are designed to inflate in
moderate to severe frontal crashes to help
reduce the potential for severe injuries,
mainly to the driver's or front outboard
passenger's head and chest.
Whether the frontal airbags will or should
inflate is not based primarily on how fast
the vehicle is traveling. It depends on what
is hit, the direction of the impact, and how
quickly the vehicle slows down.
Frontal airbags may inflate at different crash
speeds depending on whether the vehicle
hits an object straight on or at an angle,
and whether the object is fixed or moving,
rigid or deformable, narrow or wide.
Frontal airbags are not intended to inflate
during vehicle rollovers, rear impacts, or in
many side impacts.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
16273584) - 2023 - CRC - 9/28/22
48 Seats and Restraints
In addition, the vehicle has advanced
technology frontal airbags. Advanced
technology frontal airbags adjust the
restraint according to crash severity.
Knee airbags are designed to inflate in
moderate to severe frontal impacts. Knee
airbags are not designed to inflate during
vehicle rollovers, in rear impacts, or in many
side impacts.
Seat-mounted side impact airbags are
designed to inflate in moderate to severe
side crashes depending on the location of
the impact. These airbags may also inflate
in some moderate to severe frontal impacts.
Seat-mounted side impact airbags are not
designed to inflate in rollovers or rear
impacts. A seat-mounted side impact airbag
is designed to inflate on the side of the
vehicle that is struck.
Roof-rail airbags are designed to inflate in
moderate to severe side crashes depending
on the location of the impact. In addition,
these roof-rail airbags may inflate during a
rollover or in a severe frontal impact.
Roof-rail airbags are not designed to inflate
in rear impacts. Both roof-rail airbags may
inflate when either side of the vehicle isstruck or if the sensing system predicts that
the vehicle is about to roll over on its side,
or in a severe frontal impact.
In any particular crash, no one can say
whether an airbag should have inflated
simply because of the vehicle damage or
repair costs.
What Makes an Airbag Inflate?
In a deployment event, the sensing system
sends an electrical signal triggering a release
of gas from the inflator. Gas from the
inflator fills the airbag causing the bag to
break out of the cover. The inflator, the
airbag, and related hardware are all part of
the airbag module.
For airbag locations, see
Where Are the
Airbags? 046.
How Does an Airbag Restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal
collisions, even belted occupants can contact
the steering wheel or the instrument panel.
In moderate to severe side collisions, even
belted occupants can contact the inside of
the vehicle. Airbags supplement the protection provided
by seat belts by distributing the force of the
impact more evenly over the
occupant's body.
Rollover capable roof-rail airbags are
designed to help contain the head and chest
of occupants in the outboard seating
positions in the first and second rows. The
rollover capable roof-rail airbags are
designed to help reduce the risk of full or
partial ejection in rollover events, although
no system can prevent all such ejections.
But airbags would not help in many types
of collisions, primarily because the
occupant's motion is not toward those
airbags. See
When Should an Airbag Inflate?
0 47.
Airbags should never be regarded as
anything more than a supplement to seat
belts.What Will You See after an
Airbag Inflates?
After frontal, knee, and seat-mounted side
impact airbags inflate, they quickly deflate,
so quickly that some people may not even
realize the airbags inflated. Roof-rail airbags
may still be at least partially inflated for