ignition CHEVROLET MALIBU 1998 Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
If you damage the covering for the driver’s or the
right front passenger’s
air bag, the bag may not
work properly. You may have to replace the
air
bag module in the steering wheel or both the air
bag module and the instrument panel for the
right front passenger’s
air bag. Do not open or
break the
air bag coverings.
If your vehicle ever gets into a lot of water -- such as
water up to the carpeting or higher
-- or if water enters
your vehicle and soaks the carpet, the air bag controller
can be soaked and ruined.
If this ever happens, and then
you start your vehicle, the damage could make the air
bags inflate, even
if there’s no crash. You would have to
replace the air bags as well as the sensors and related
parts.
If your vehicle is ever in a flood, or if it’s exposed
to water that
soaks the carpet, you can avoid needless
repair costs by turning
off the vehicle immediately.
Don’t let anyone start the vehicle, even to tow it, unless
the battery cables are first disconnected.
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle.
You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone is working
on your vehicle. Your
dealer and the Malibu Service Manual have information
~ about servicing your vehicle and the air bag system. To
~ purchase a service manual, see “Service and Owner
~ Publications” in the Index.
I
For up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service. You
can be injured if you are close
to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid yellow connectors. They are
probably part
of the air bag system. Be sure to
follow proper service procedures, and make sure
the person performing work for you is qualified
to do
so.
~~
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0 Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and inform\
ation on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
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2-18
2-22
2-23
2-25
2-25
2-26 Keys
Door Locks
Keyless Entry System
TrUnk
Theft
Passlock’
New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Positions
Starting Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater
(If Equipped)
Automatic Transaxle Operation Parking Brake
Shifting Into PARK (P)
Shifting Out
of PARK (P)
Parking Over Things That Burn
Engine Exhaust 2-26
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2-46 2-50 Running
Your Engine While You’re Parked
Windows
Tilt Wheel
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
Exterior Lamps
Interior Lamps
Mirrors Storage Compartments
Ashtray and Lighter Sunvisors
Accessory Power Outlet
Garment
Hook
Sunroof
Instrument Panel
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Keys
Leaving young children in a vehicle with the
ignition key is dangerous for many reasons.
A child or others could be badly injured or
even killed.
They could operate power windows or other
controls or even make the vehicle move. Don't
leave the keys in a vehicle with young children.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine One key is used for the
ignition and all other locks.
When a new vehicle is delivered, the key has a
bar-coded key tag. This tag may be removed by your
dealer before
it is delivered. Each tag has
a key code on
it that tells your dealer or a
qualified locksmith
how to make extra keys. Keep the
tag in
a safe place. If you lose your keys, you’ll be able
to have one made easily using this tag.
If you need a new key,
go to your dealer for the correct
key code.
I NOTICE:
Your vehicle has a number of new features that
can help prevent theft, therefore you can have a
lot of trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever
lock your keys inside. You may even have to
damage your vehicle to get in.
So be sure you
have extra keys.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Power Door Locks (If Equipped) Rear Door Security Locks
With the power
door locks,
you can unlock or lock all
of the doors of your vehicle
from the driver or front
passenger door lock switch.
Pull
up on the switch to unlock all of the doors. Push
down on it to lock all the doors.
Door Ajar Reminder
If one of the doors of your vehicle is not closed
properly, the ignition is on and
you shift from PARK (P)
or
NEUTRAL (N), you will hear a chime. Also, the
Door Ajar light on the instrument panel will come
on and stay
on until the doors are closed and
completely latched.
Your vehicle is equipped
with rear door security
locks that help prevent
passengers from opening
the rear doors of your
vehicle from the inside.
The switch is located
on the inside of the rear door. To
use the security locks:
1. Move the switch up.
2. Close the door.
3. Do the same thing on the other rear door.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine To turn the lockout on, slide the switch all the way to the
left.
To turn the lockout off, slide the switch all the way
to the right.
When the lockout is on,
the remote trunk release switch
on the instrument panel will not release the trunk lid.
However, the trunk lid can still be opened with the key,
but not with the keyless entry transmitter (if equipped).
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent
features,
we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it's an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don't do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver's door,
you'll hear a chime reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.
Your ignition and transaxle will be locked. And
remember to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Parking Lots Passlock@
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it’s best to lock it up and take your keys.
But what
if you have to leave your key?
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If possible, park in a busy, well lit area.
Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
trunk or glove box. Be sure to close and lock
the
storage area.
Close all windows. Slide the remote trunk release lockout switch all the
way to the
OFF.
Lock the glove box.
Lock all the doors except the driver’s. Your
vehicle
is equipped with the Passlock
theft-deterrent system.
Passlock is a passive theft-deterrent system. The system
is armed once the key is removed from the ignition.
Passlock enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is
turned with
a valid key. If a correct key is not used, fuel
is disabled.
During normal operation, the THEFT SYSTEM light will go
off after the engine is started.
If the THEFT SYSTEM light flashes, wait until the light
stops flashing before starting the engine.
If the THEFT
SYSTEM light comes on while the engine
is running, a problem has been detected and the system
may need service. See your dealer for service.
In an emergency, call the Chevrolet Roadside Assistance
Center at 1-800-CHEV-USA
(1-800-243-8872). (In
Canada, call
1-800-268-6800.)

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine New Vehicle “Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But
it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
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Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Don’t tow
a trailer during break-in.
See “Towing a Trailer’’ in the Index for
more information.
Ignition Positions
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to four positions.
OFF (A): Before you put the key into the ignition
switch, the switch is
off. It is the only position from
which you can remove the key. This position locks your
ignition and transaxle.
A warning chime will sound if
you open the driver’s door when the ignition
is off and
the key is in the ignition.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ACC (Accessory) (B): This position unlocks the
transaxle. It also
lets you use things like the radio and
windshield wipers when the engine is not running.
To
use ACC, push in the key and turn it to the right. Use
this position if your vehicle must be pushed or towed,
but never try to push-start your vehicle.
ON (C): This position unlocks the ignition and
transaxle. This position is also where the key returns
after you start your engine and release the switch. The
switch stays in
ON when the engine is running. But even
when the engine is not running, you can use
ON to
operate your electrical power accessories, and to display
some instrument panel warning lights.
START (D): This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the
key. The ignition switch will
return to
ON for normal driving.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s a
safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving,
use
NEUTRAL (N) only.
I 1
I NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK
(P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
2-14

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Starting Your 2.4 Liter Engine
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to
START. When the engine starts, let
go
of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine warms up.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can
damage your starter motor.
2. If the engine doesn’t start right away, and if the
weather
is very cold (below -20” F or -29” C), push
the accelerator pedal about one-quarter
of the way
down while you turn the key to
START. Do this
until the engine starts.
As soon as it does, let go of
the key.
3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then stops),
it could
be flooded with too much gasoline. Try
pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the floor
and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for
a maximum of
15 seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline
from the engine. If the engine still won’t start
or starts briefly but then stops again, repeat step 1 or 2
depending on temperature. When the engine starts,
release the key and the accelerator pedal.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts
or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do
it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.