lights CHEVROLET MALIBU 2004 5.G Owners Manual

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-7
Safety Belts
.............................................1-10
Child Restraints
.......................................1-31
Air Bag Systems
......................................1-52
Restraint System Check
............................1-60
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
......................................2-10
Windows
.................................................2-16
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-18
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-22
Mirrors
....................................................2-35
OnStar
®System
......................................2-38
HomeLink®Transmitter
.............................2-40
Storage Areas
.........................................2-44
Sunroof
..................................................2-48
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-21
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-31Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-45
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-52
Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-31
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-12
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-45
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-49
Tires
......................................................5-50
Appearance Care
.....................................5-78
Vehicle Identication
.................................5-86
Electrical System
......................................5-87
Capacities and Specications
.....................5-96
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-11
Index................................................................ 1
2004 Chevrolet Malibu Owner ManualM

Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will nd these notices:
Notice:These mean there is something that could
damage your vehicle.
A notice will tell you about something that can damage
your vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be
covered by your warranty, and it could be costly. But the
notice will tell you what to do to help avoid the
damage.
When you read other manuals, you might see CAUTION
and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in different
words.
You’ll also see warning labels on your vehicle. They use
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
Your vehicle has components and labels that use
symbols instead of text. Symbols, used on your vehicle,
are shown along with the text describing the operation
or information relating to a specic component, control,
message, gage or indicator.
If you need help guring out a specic name of a
component, gage or indicator, reference the following
topics:
Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1
Features and Controls in Section 2
Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3
Climate Controls in Section 3
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators in Section 3
Audio System(s) in Section 3
Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5
iv

Remote Keyless Entry System
Operation
The following functions
may be available if your
vehicle has the remote
keyless entry system:
/(Remote Start):If your vehicle has this feature, it
may be started remotely by pressing the lock button,
then immediately following, pressing the remote
start button and holding it until the parking lamps ash,
or for four seconds if the lights are not visible.
Pressing the remote start button again after the vehicle
has started will turn off the ignition. See “Remote
Vehicle Start” following for more information.
Q(Lock):Press the lock button to lock all the doors.
The interior lamps will turn off after all of the doors are
closed. If enabled through the Driver Information Center
(DIC), the parking lamps will ash once to indicate locking
has occurred. If enabled through the DIC, the horn will
also chirp to indicate locking has occurred.
K(Unlock):Press the unlock button to unlock the
driver’s door. If the button is pressed again within ve
seconds, all remaining doors, the trunk and liftgate
will unlock. The interior lamps will come on and stay on
for 10 seconds or until the ignition is turned on. If
enabled through the DIC, the parking lamps will ash
twice to indicate unlocking has occurred. Remote Keyless Entry
with Remote Start
shown, without Remote
Start similar
2-6

Remote Vehicle Start
Your vehicle may have a remote starting feature. This
feature allows you to start the engine from outside of the
vehicle. It also starts up the vehicle’s heating or air
conditioning systems and rear window defogger. When
the remote start system is active and the vehicle
has an automatic climate control system, it will
automatically regulate the inside temperature. Normal
operation of the system will return after the key is turned
to the on position. A remote start occurs when buttons
on the remote keyless entry transmitter are pressed.
Laws in some local communities require that a person
using remote start have the vehicle in view when
doing so and may prohibit the execution of remote start
if not in view of the vehicle. Check local regulations
for any requirements on remote starting of vehicles.
Do not use the remote start feature if your vehicle is low
on fuel. Your vehicle may run out of fuel.
The remote start feature provides two separate starts,
each with 10 minutes of engine running. Or it provides
one start with 10 minutes of engine running, which can be
extended by 10 more minutes, for 20 minutes of total
running time. Once two starts or 20 minutes running time
has been provided, the vehicle must be started normally
with the ignition key to get more remote starts.The remote start feature will not operate if the key is in
the ignition or the hood is not closed.
Your remote keyless entry transmitter, with the remote
start button, provides an increased range of operation.
However, the range may be less while the vehicle
is running. As a result, you may need to be closer to
your vehicle to turn it off, than you were to turn it on.
There are other conditions which can affect the
performance of the transmitter, see “Remote Keyless
Entry System Operation” previously in this section.
/(Remote Start):Press the lock button and then
press this button to use the remote start feature.
To start the vehicle using the remote start feature, do
the following:
1. Aim the transmitter at the vehicle.
2. Press the transmitter’s lock button, release it and
then immediately press and hold the transmitter’s
remote start button until the vehicle’s turn signal
lights ash or for at least four seconds. The
vehicle’s doors will be locked.
3. When the vehicle starts, the parking lamps will turn
on and remain on while the vehicle is running.
4. If it is your rst remote start since last driving,
repeat these steps while the engine is still
running for a 10 minute time extension.
2-9

Disarming the System
If the system is armed, you can disarm the system by:
Pressing the unlock button on the transmitter
Turning the ignition to ON or
Turning the driver’s door key lock cylinder once
toward the rear of the vehicle.
Once the system is disarmed, the security light will stop
ashing.
How the System Alarm is Activated
If the system is armed,
Opening the driver’s door will cause a ten second
pre-alarm chirp followed by a thirty second full
alarm of horn and lights.
Opening any other door or the liftgate will
immediately cause a full alarm for thirty seconds of
horn and lights.
If an alarm event has nished and all the doors and the
liftgate are closed, the system will re-arm itself.
How to Turn Off the System Alarm
If the system alarm is active, it can be deactivated by:
Pressing the lock button on the transmitter to
turn off the alarm. The system will also re-arm itself.
Pressing the unlock button on the transmitter to turn
off the alarm and disarm the system
Putting the key in the driver’s door key lock cylinder
and turning it to the rear of the vehicle to turn off
the alarm and disarm the system or
Putting the key in the ignition and turning it to ON
to turn off the alarm and disarm the system.
How to Detect a Tamper Condition
If you hear three chirps when you press the unlock and
lock buttons on the transmitter, that means the
content theft security system alarm was triggered while
you were away.
2-19

ACC (ACCESSORY):This position lets you use things
like the radio and windshield wipers while the engine
is not running. To use ACC, turn the key clockwise
to the rst position.
Use this position if your vehicle must be pushed or
towed, but never try to push-start your vehicle.
SeeRecreational Vehicle Towing on page 4-31.
R(ON):This position unlocks the ignition. It is also the
position to where the key returns after you start the
engine and release the switch. The switch will stay in
this position while the engine is running. But even while
the engine is not running, you can use ON to operate
your electrical accessories, and to display some
instrument panel warning lights.
/(START):This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch will
return to the ON position for normal driving.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
Your vehicle has a Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
feature which will allow some features to continue
to work up to 10 minutes after the ignition is turned to
off or until the driver’s door is opened.
Your vehicle’s sunroof and heated seats, if equipped,
and the power windows also work this way. They
will turn off after 10 minutes or if any door is open.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine will not start in any other position — that is
a safety feature. To restart when you are already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Shifting into PARK (P) with the vehicle
moving could damage the transaxle. Shift into
PARK (P) only when your vehicle is stopped.
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 gets warm.
2-23

Mirrors
Manual 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 to see 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.
Manual Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®
If your vehicle has this feature, this mirror has a knob
located at the bottom of the mirror. It is used to change
the mirror from day to night position. To reduce glare
from headlamps behind you while driving at night, rotate
the knob clockwise. For daytime driving rotate the
knob counterclockwise.
There are also three OnStar
®buttons located at the
bottom of the mirror face. See your dealer for more
information on the system and how to subscribe
to OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-38for
more information about the services OnStar®provides.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
Your vehicle may have an automatic dimming rearview
mirror. This feature enables the mirror to sense
nighttime glare from vehicle headlamps from behind and
automatically dim to reduce the glare to a safe level.
The automatic dimming feature is automatically on
or enabled each time the vehicle is started. If you need
to turn off the feature, press the OFF button once
and the green indicator light located to the left of the
button will go out indicating the feature is off. To turn the
feature back on, press and release the AUTO button
and the green indicator light will come on.
2-35

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-7
Horn.............................................................3-7
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-8
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-14
Interior Lamps..............................................3-19
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-20
Climate Controls............................................3-21
Climate Control System.................................3-21
Automatic Climate Control System...................3-25
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-30
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-31
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-32
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-33
Tachometer.................................................3-33
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-34
Air Bag Readiness Light................................3-34
Charging System Light..................................3-35
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-36
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light...........................................3-37
Enhanced Traction System
Warning Light...........................................3-37
Enhanced Traction System Active Light............3-38Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light......3-38
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-39
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-39
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-42
Security Light...............................................3-43
Cruise Control Light......................................3-43
Service Vehicle Soon Light............................3-44
Fuel Gage...................................................3-44
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-45
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-46
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-50
Audio System(s).............................................3-52
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)..................................3-52
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio Data
Systems (RDS).........................................3-53
Radio with CD (Base Level)...........................3-53
Radio with CD (Up Level)..............................3-58
Radio with Cassette and CD..........................3-69
Radio with Six-Disc CD.................................3-82
Rear Seat Entertainment System....................3-96
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)
(Without Entertainment System).................3-111
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)
(With Entertainment System).....................3-113
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-115
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
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
lamps are required on all vehicles rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make both front turn signal lamps
turn on when the following conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamp control is turned to AUTO.
In addition, Canadian vehicles DRL will also turn
on if you have turned on your parking lamps.
The light sensor detects daytime light.
The shift lever is not in PARK (P).
While the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker
lamps, and instrument panel lights will not be illuminated.
The DRL system will be off any time your vehicle is in
PARK (P). The DRL system on U.S. vehicles can
also be turned off by using the Off/On switch for one
ignition cycle.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, your automatic system
will turn on your headlamps at the normal brightness
along with other lamps such as the taillamps, sidemarker,
parking lamps, instrument panel lights, and interior
switch backlighting.
Your vehicle is equipped with a light sensor on the top of
the instrument panel that inputs to the ACC, so be sure it
is not covered which will cause the system to be on
whenever the ignition is on.
The system may also be on when driving through a
parking garage, heavy overcast weather or a tunnel.
This is normal.
There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the automatic lamp control
system so that driving under bridges or bright overhead
street lights does not affect the system. The automatic
lamp control system will only be affected when the light
sensor sees a change in lighting lasting longer than
this delay.
If you start your vehicle in a dark garage, the automatic
lamp system will come on immediately. Once you leave
the garage, it will take about one minute for the automatic
lamp system to change to DRL if it is light outside.
3-17

During that delay, your instrument panel cluster may
not be as bright as usual. Make sure your instrument
panel brightness control is in the full bright position.
See “Instrument Panel Brightness Control” underInterior
Lamps on page 3-19.
To idle your vehicle with the system off, turn the
ignition on and rotate the exterior light switch to the
Off/On position. For Canadian vehicles, the transmission
must stay in PARK (P) for this function.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamps when you need them.
Headlamps Off in Park (P)
This feature works when the ignition is on and it is
dark outside. To turn the headlamps off when it is
dark outside but keep other exterior lights on, turn
the exterior lamp 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 exterior lamp
control to the AUTO or headlamp position.
This feature will work for Canadian vehicles if the
vehicle is in PARK (P).
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 switch at the end of the
turn signal/multifunction lever to the Off/On position.
Fog Lamps
If your vehicle has this
feature, the button for the
fog lamps is located on
the instrument panel, to the
left of the steering wheel.
If your vehicle has fog lamps, the ignition must be on.
Push the button to turn the fog lamps on. An indicator
light in 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 while the high-beam
headlamps are turned on.
3-18