CHEVROLET MALIBU 2001 5.G Owners Manual
Page 101 of 351
2-36 Cruise Control (If Equipped)
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. This can really help on long trips.
Cruise control does not work at speeds below
25 mph (40 km/h).
When you apply your brake, the cruise control shuts off.
CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can't drive safely at a steady speed. So,
don't use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning, and you could lose control. Don't
use cruise control on slippery roads.
Page 102 of 351
2-37
Setting Cruise Control
CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control switch on when
you're not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you don't want to. You
could be startled and even lose control. Keep the
cruise control switch off until you want to use
cruise control.
The cruise control buttons are located on the steering
wheel for your convenience.
1. Press the cruise control OFF/ON button. The
indicator light on the OFF/ON button will turn on.
2. Get up to the speed you want.
3. Press the SET DECEL button and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
5. The CRUISE light on the instrument panel cluster
will turn on.Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired speed
and then you apply the brake. This, of course, shuts off
the cruise control. But you don't need to reset it. Once
you're going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or more, you can
press the cruise control ACCEL RESUME button for
about half a second.
You'll go right back up to your chosen speed and
stay there.
If you press the ACCEL RESUME button longer than
half a second, the vehicle will keep going faster until
you release the switch or apply the brake. So unless you
want to go faster, don't hold down the ACCEL
RESUME button.
Page 103 of 351
2-38
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed.
Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.
Push the SET DECEL button, then release the button
and the accelerator pedal. You'll now cruise at the
higher speed.
Press the ACCEL RESUME button. Hold it there
until you get up to the speed you want, and then
release the button. To increase your speed in very
small amounts, press the ACCEL RESUME button
for less than half a second and then release it. Each
time you do this, your vehicle will go about 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) faster.
The accelerate feature will only work after you turn on
the cruise control by pushing the SET DECEL button.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:
Push the SET DECEL button until you reach the
lower speed you want, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, push the
button for less than half a second. Each time you
do this, you'll go 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers find this to
be too much trouble and don't use cruise control on
steep hills.
Canceling Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal;
Press the cruise control OFF/ON button.
Erasing the Cruise Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.
Page 104 of 351
2-39
Exterior Lamps
Headlamps
See ªTurn Signal/Multifunction Leverº in the Index.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully
functional daytime running lights are required on all
vehicles first sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make your low
-beam headlamps
come on at a reduced brightness when the following
conditions are met:
The ignition is on,
the headlamp switch is to AUTO or you have turned
on your parking lamps,
the light sensor detects daytime light,
the parking brake is released, and
the shift lever is not in PARK (P).When the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker
lamps, parking lamps and instrument panel lights will
not be illuminated unless you have turned the headlamp
control to the parking lamp or headlamp position.
The DRL system will remain off any time your vehicle
is in PARK (P) or the parking brake is engaged and the
vehicle speed is less than 8 mph (13 km/h).
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Automatic Light Control (ALC)
When it is dark enough outside, your Automatic Light
Control (ALC) will turn on your headlamps at the
normal brightness along with other lamps such as the
taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and the instrument
panel lights. The radio lights will also be dim.
Your vehicle is equipped with a light sensor on the top
of the instrument panel under the defroster grill, so be
sure it is not covered which will cause the ALC system
to be on whenever the ignition is on.
The ALC system may also be on when driving through a
parking garage, heavy overcast weather or a tunnel. This
is normal.
Page 105 of 351
2-40
There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the DRL and the ALC
systems so that driving under bridges or bright overhead
street lights does not affect the system. The DRL and
ALC systems will only be affected when the light sensor
sees a change in lighting lasting longer than this delay.
To idle your vehicle with the ALC system off, set the
park brake while the ignition is off. Then start the
vehicle. The ALC system will stay off until you release
the park brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Headlamps Dim to Park (If Equipped)
This feature works when the ignition is on and it is dark
outside. To turn the headlamps off when it is dark
outside, turn the headlamp control to the parking lamp
position. In this position, the parking lamps, sidemarker
lamps, taillamps, license plate lamps and instrument
panel lights will be on, but the headlamps will be off.
To turn on the headlamps along with the other lamps
when it is dark outside, turn the headlamp control to the
AUTO or headlamp position.
Delayed Headlamps
The delayed headlamps feature will continue to
illuminate the headlamps for 20 seconds after the key is
turned to OFF at night. Then the headlamps will
automatically turn off.
To override the 20 second delayed headlamp feature
while it is active turn the turn signal/multifunction lever
up one position and then back to AUTO.
Fog Lamps (If Equipped)
The button for the fog
lamps is on the instrument
panel, to the left of the
steering wheel, next to
the instrument panel
intensity control.
When using the fog lamps, the ignition must be on as
well as the parking lamps or the low
-beam headlamps.
Page 106 of 351
2-41
Push the button to turn the fog lamps on. An indicator
light on the button will glow when the fog lamps are on.
Push the button again to turn the fog lamps off.
The fog lamps will turn off whenever the high
-beam
headlamps are turned on. When the high beams are
turned off, the fog lamps will come on again.
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Intensity Control
You can brighten or dim the
instrument panel cluster
lights by turning the
thumbwheel, located on the
instrument panel to the left
of the steering wheel.
Illuminated Entry/Exit System
When you open any door, the lamps inside your vehicle
will go on. These lamps will fade out 10 seconds after
the last door is closed, or when the ignition is turned on
after all doors have been closed. These lamps will also
go on when you press the trunk release button, the
UNLOCK button or the horn symbol button on the
remote keyless entry transmitter.
The lamps inside your vehicle will stay on for about
10 seconds after your key is removed from the ignition
to provide an illuminated exit.
Mirror Reading Lamps (If Equipped)
Press the switch next to each lamp to turn on the lamp.
Press the switch again to turn the lamp off.
Three-Position Dome Lamp
The switch on this lamp has three positions. The ON
position will turn on the lamp. The DOOR position will
turn on the lamp whenever a door is opened. The OFF
position will shut off the lamp completely, even when a
door is opened.
Page 107 of 351
2-42 Trunk Lamp
The trunk lamp comes on when you open your trunk.
Battery Saver
Your vehicle is equipped with a battery saver feature
designed to protect your vehicle's battery.
When any interior lamp (trunk, reading, footwell, visor
vanity or glove box) is left on when the ignition is
turned off, the battery saver system will automatically
shut the lamp(s) off after 20 minutes. This will avoid
draining the battery.
To reactivate the interior lamps, do one of the following:
Turn on the ignition,
turn the lamp switch off and then on,
open a door,press any remote keyless entry transmitter button,
press the remote trunk release button, or
press the power door lock switch.
The battery saver feature will also be activated when
any door on the vehicle is left open and the ignition is
in OFF.
Mirrors
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
This mirror can be adjusted two ways. First, to adjust
the angle of the mirror, move the mirror to a position
that allows you see to out of the back window. To adjust
the height of the mirror, adjust the arm that connects the
mirror to the windshield.
To reduce glare from lights behind you, move the lever
toward you to the night position.
Page 108 of 351
2-43 Manual Remote Control Mirror
The outside rearview mirror should be adjusted so you
can see a little of the side of your vehicle when you are
sitting in a comfortable driving position.
Adjust the driver's side
outside mirror with the
control lever on the
driver's door.
To adjust the passenger's outside mirror, sit in the
driver's seat and have the passenger adjust the mirror
for you.
Power Remote Control Mirrors
(If Equipped)
The controls for the power mirror are located on the
driver's door armrest.
Move the switch above the control pad to choose the
right or left mirror. If you place the switch in the center
position, no movement of the mirror will occur. To
adjust the mirror, press the arrows on the control pad in
the direction you want the mirror to go.
Page 109 of 351
2-44 Convex Outside Mirror
Your passenger's side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror's surface is curved so you can see more from the
driver's seat.
CAUTION:
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 your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
Storage Compartments
Glove Box
To open, pull the handle to the left and pull the glove
box door down until it stops and is fully open.
Instrument Panel Cupholder
The instrument panel cupholder is located to the left of
the steering wheel. To use it, pull it out until the rubber
insert is revealed.
Center Console Storage Area
The center console has two separate storage areas. The
upper compartment, which is also the armrest, can be
used to store maps, gloves, etc. To open, pull up on the
driver's side of the lid.
The lower area can be used to store cassette tapes or
compact discs. To open the lower compartment, pull up
on the armrest.
Center Console Cupholder
The console provides space for holding a cup or soft
drink container. The cupholder is located at the rear of
the shift lever.
Rear Seat Cupholders
Pull down the door on the rear of the center console to
use the rear seat cupholders.
Page 110 of 351
2-45 Convenience Net (If Equipped)
Your vehicle may have a convenience net. You'll see it
just inside the back wall of the trunk.
Put small loads, like grocery bags, behind the net. It can
help keep them from falling over during sharp turns or
quick starts and stops.
The net isn't for larger, heavier loads. Store them in the
trunk as far forward as you can.
You can unhook the net so that it will lie flat when
you're not using it.
Ashtray and Cigarette Lighter
The ashtray is located at the lower part of the center of
the instrument panel. To remove the ashtray for
cleaning, pull up on the metal tab and pull the bin out.
NOTICE:
Don't put papers and other things that burn into
your ashtrays. If you do, cigarettes or other
smoking materials could set them on fire,
causing damage.
The cigarette lighter is located above the ashtray. To use
it, just push it in all the way and let go. When it's ready,
it will pop back out by itself.
NOTICE:
Don't hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while it is heating. If you do, it won't be able to
back away from the heating element when it's
ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.
Sun Visors
To block out glare, you can swing down the visors.
You can also swing them to the side.
Visor Vanity Mirror
Lift the cover to expose the vanity mirror.
Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirror
(If Equipped)
This mirror is located on the passenger's side visor.
When you lift the cover, the light will turn on.