CHEVROLET MALIBU 2006 6.G Owners Manual

Instrument Panel Brightness
The control for this
feature is located on the
instrument panel to the
left of the steering wheel.
Turn the knob clockwise to brighten the lights or
counterclockwise to dim them.
Dome Lamp
The switch on this lamp has three positions. The on
position will turn on the lamp anytime. The door position
will turn on the lamp whenever a door is opened. The
off position will shut off the lamp completely, even while
a door is opened. Your dome lamp may be equipped
with two rear reading lamps. SeeRear Reading Lamps
on page 3-20.
Entry/Exit Lighting
When you open any door, the lamps inside of your
vehicle will go on. These lamps will fade out 20 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 panic button on the
remote keyless entry transmitter.
The lamps inside of your vehicle will turn on for about
10 seconds after your key is removed from the ignition
to provide an illuminated exit.
Parade Dimming
Parade dimming is a separate lighting mode of operation
that is activated if the park lamps are turned on during
the day. Usually when the park lamps are turned on
during the day, the display’s illumination and LEDs
become lower and the backlighting is activated.
To avoid this condition, backlighting is turned off, and
the displays and LEDs are set to a high predetermined
intensity when daylight conditions are detected to
enhance the display’s visibility during daytime.
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Front Reading Lamps
Push the lens to turn the reading lamps on and off.
The reading lamps will turn on when the door is open
if the dome lamp is in the door position. The reading
lamps will also turn on with the dome lamp switch in
the on position. The lamps will not turn on if the door is
open and the dome lamp is in the off position.
Rear Reading Lamps
The vehicle’s dome lamp may have two reading
lamps. The reading lamps turn on and off by pushing
on the lens.
Trunk Lamp
The trunk lamp comes on when you open your trunk.
Cargo Lamp
If your vehicle is the MAXX model, it has a cargo lamp.
The cargo lamp comes on when the liftgate is opened.
If you want to leave the liftgate open you can turn off
the cargo lamp by pushing on the lens.
Battery Run-Down Protection
Your vehicle has a battery run-down protection feature
designed to protect your vehicle’s battery.
When any interior lamp (trunk, reading, or visor vanity)
is left on while the ignition is turned off, the battery
run-down protection 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 exterior lamp control off and then on.
Open a door.
Press any remote keyless entry transmitter button
(if equipped).
Press the remote trunk release button.
Press the power door lock switch.
The battery run-down feature will also be activated
when any door on the vehicle is left open and the
ignition is in OFF.
3-20

Accessory Power Outlet(s)
With accessory power outlets you can plug in auxiliary
electrical equipment such as a cellular telephone.
For vehicles with Traction Control system, the accessory
power outlets are located on the front of the center
console storage area and also inside the console
storage compartment. The compartment has notches
that allow power cords to be routed outside of the
console while the lid is closed. On vehicles without
Traction Control, both outlets are located on the front
of the center console storage area. There is also
an outlet in the rear cargo area of the MAXX.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain the battery. Always turn
off electrical equipment when not in use and do
not plug in equipment that exceeds the maximum
amperage rating.
Certain electrical accessories may not be compatible
with the accessory power outlet and could result
in blown vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience
a problem see your dealer for additional information on
accessory power outlets.Notice:Adding any electrical equipment to your
vehicle may damage it or keep other components
from working as they should. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Do not use equipment
exceeding maximum amperage rating of 20 amperes.
Check with your retailer before adding electrical
equipment.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to follow
the proper installation instructions included with
the equipment.
Notice:Improper use of the power outlet can
cause damage not covered by your warranty.
Do not hang any type of accessory or accessory
bracket from the plug because the power outlets
are designed for accessory power plugs only.
3-21

Cigarette Lighter
Your vehicle may have a cigarette lighter. To use the
lighter, located on the instrument panel below the
climate controls, push it in all the way and let go.
When it is ready, it will pop back out by itself.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating will not allow the lighter to back away from
the heating element when it is hot. Damage from
overheating may occur to the lighter or heating
element, or a fuse could be blown. Do not hold a
cigarette lighter in while it is heating.
Notice:If you put papers, pins, or other ammable
items in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other
smoking materials could ignite them and possibly
damage your vehicle. Never put ammable items in
the ashtray.
Climate Controls
Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation for your vehicle. If your vehicle has
the remote start feature, the climate control system
will function as part of the remote start feature.
SeeRemote Keyless Entry System Operation
on page 2-6.
Operation
9
(Fan):Turn the left knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan
speed. The fan must be on to run the air-conditioning
compressor.
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To change the air delivery settings, turn the right knob
to select one of the following:
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):This mode directs half of the air to
the instrument panel outlets, and the remaining air to
the oor outlets. Some air may be directed toward
the side windows.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the
oor outlets with some air directed to the side window
outlets and windshield.
:(Outside Air):Press the right side of this button
to turn the outside air mode on. When this mode is
selected, air from outside the vehicle will circulate
throughout your vehicle. When the button is pressed,
an indicator light will come on to let you know that
it is activated. The outside air mode can be used
with all modes, but it cannot be used with the
recirculation mode. Pressing this button will cancel
the recirculation mode.
?(Recirculation):Press the left side of the button
to turn the recirculation mode on. When recirculation
mode is selected, the air inside the vehicle will be
recirculated through the climate control system and
the vehicle, not from outside your vehicle. This mode
is helpful when you are trying to limit odors from
entering your vehicle and for maximum air conditioning
performance in hot weather. When the button is
pressed, an indicator light above the button will come
on to let you know that it is activated. The recirculation
indicator light will blink three times if you try to use
recirculation in a mode that it can not be used in.
Only use this mode when it is needed for comfort,
since window fogging will rapidly occur if the air
conditioning compressor is not engaged.
Pressing this button will cancel the outside air mode.
When you switch to the defog or defrost modes
the system will automatically move from recirculation
to outside air. When the vehicle or fan is turned off
and back on, the system will default to outside air
automatically. Only use recirculation mode when it is
needed for comfort, since window fogging may occur.
3-23

Temperature Control:Turn the center knob clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or decrease the
temperature inside your vehicle.
When it’s cold outside 0°F (−18°C) or lower, use the
engine coolant heater, if equipped, to provide warmer air
faster to your vehicle. An engine coolant heater warms
the coolant that the engine uses to provide heat to
warm the inside of your vehicle. For more information,
seeEngine Coolant Heater on page 2-26.
#(Air Conditioning):Press this button to turn the air
conditioning system on or off. When the air conditioning
button is pressed, an indicator light will come on to
let you know that air conditioning is activated.
On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside air
escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the
time it takes for your vehicle to cool down. It also
helps the system to operate more efficiently.For quick cool down on hot days, do the following:
1. Select the vent mode.
2. Select the highest fan speed.
3. Select air conditioning.
4. Select the recirculation mode.
5. Select the coolest temperature.
Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside of your vehicle to become too
dry. To prevent this from happening, after the air in
your vehicle has cooled, turn the recirculation mode off.
The air-conditioning system removes moisture from
the air, so you may sometimes notice a small amount
of water dripping underneath your vehicle while idling
or after turning off the engine. This is normal.
3-24

Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
(moisture) condensing on the cool window glass.
This can be minimized if the climate control system is
used properly. There are two modes to choose from
to clear fog or frost from your windshield. Use the
defog mode to clear the windows of fog or moisture
and warm the passengers. Use the defrost mode
to remove fog or frost from the windshield more quickly.
Turn the right knob to select the defog or defrost mode.
-(Defog):This mode splits the air between the
windshield and the oor outlets with a small amount
directed to the side windows. When you select this
mode, the system turns off recirculation automatically.
The air-conditioning compressor will run unless the
outside temperature is at or below freezing. The
air-conditioning compressor will operate although
the indicator light will not be on. The air-conditioning
indicator light will turn off when defog is selected.If the air-conditioning button is pressed while in defog
mode, the indicator light will turn on. If the button
is pressed again, the light will turn off. The recirculation
mode cannot be selected while in the defog mode.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
1(Defrost):This mode directs most of the air to
the windshield with some air directed to the oor vents.
In this mode, the system will automatically force
outside air into your vehicle. The air-conditioning
compressor will run unless the outside temperature is
at or below freezing. The air-conditioning compressor
will operate although the indicator light will not be
on. The air-conditioning indicator light will turn off when
defrost is selected. If the air-conditioning button is
pressed while in defrost mode, the indicator light will
turn on. If the button is pressed again, the light will
turn off. Recirculation cannot be selected while in the
defrost mode.
To help clear the windshield quickly, do the following:
1. Select the defrost mode.
2. Select the highest temperature.
3. Select the highest fan speed.
3-25

Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog or frost from the rear window.
defogger on or off. This button also turns on and off the
heated mirror, if equipped. An indicator light will come
on to let you know that the rear window defogger
and heated mirror, if equipped, is activated. Be sure to
clear as much snow from the rear window as possible.
If driving below 50 mph (80 km/h), the rear window
defogger will turn off about 15 minutes after the button
is pressed. If turned on again, the defogger will only
run for about seven minutes before turning off. The
defogger can also be turned off by pressing the button
again or by turning off the engine.If your vehicle’s speed is maintained above 50 mph
(80 km/h), the rear window defogger will remain on
once the button is pressed.
If your vehicle has the remote start feature, the rear
defogger will automatically be turned on if it is cold
outside. When the vehicle transitions out of the
remote start mode, the rear defogger will turn off.
SeeRemote Keyless Entry System Operation on
page 2-6.
Notice:Do not use anything sharp on the inside of
the rear window. If you do, you could cut or damage
the warming grid, and the repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Do not attach a temporary
vehicle license, tape, a decal or anything similar to
the defogger grid.
3-26

Automatic Climate Control System
If your vehicle has this system, you can automatically
control the heating, cooling and ventilation in your
vehicle.
Automatic Operation
AUTO (Automatic):Select AUTO on both the fan speed
control and the air delivery mode control knobs to activate
the automatic system. When automatic operation is
active the system will control the inside temperature and
air delivery.Use the steps below to place the entire system in
automatic mode:
1. Place the fan knob and the mode knob to AUTO.
The display will now show the current set
temperature. When auto is selected, the air
conditioning operation and air inlet will be
automatically controlled. The air conditioning
compressor will run when the outside temperature
is over about 40°F (4°C). The air inlet will normally
be set to outside air. If it’s hot outside, the air
inlet may automatically switch to recirculate inside
air to help quickly cool down your vehicle.
2. Set the temperature.
To nd your comfort setting, start with an initial
temperature setting and allow about 20 minutes
for the system to regulate. Press the up or
down arrow temperature buttons to adjust the
temperature setting as necessary. If you choose
the temperature setting of 60°F (15°C) the
system will remain at the maximum cooling
setting. If you choose the temperature setting of
90°F (32°C) the system will remain at the maximum
heat setting. Choosing either maximum setting
will not cause the vehicle to heat or cool any faster.
Be careful not to cover the sensor located on the
top of the instrument panel near the windshield.
This sensor regulates air temperature based on
sun load, and also turns on your headlamps.
3-27

Also be careful not to cover the sensor grille on
the lower right side of the climate control faceplate.
This senses the inside vehicle temperature
needed for proper regulation.
To avoid blowing cold air at start-up in cold weather,
the system will delay turning on the fan until
warm air is available. The length of delay depends
on the engine coolant temperature. Turning the
fan knob will override this delay and change the fan
to a selected speed.
If your vehicle has the remote start feature, the climate
control display will initially show “AS” in place of the
temperature to indicate the remote start has been
activated. The system will automatically regulate the
temperature according to the following:
If inside air temperature is below 72°F (22°C), the
system will automatically adjust to the following
settings: highest fan speed, defrost mode,
recirculation, and the full heat position.
If inside air temperature is above 79°F (26°C) the
system will automatically adjust to the following
settings: highest fan speed, panel mode,
recirculation, and full cold position.
If inside air temperature is between 72°F (22°C) and
79°F (26°C), the system will adjust automatically to
the following settings:medium fan speed, panel
mode, recirculation, and the full cold position.The climate control will change back to manual
operation by turning on the vehicle with the key. See
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation on page 2-6.
The heater works best if you keep the windows
closed while using it.
Manual Operation
You may manually adjust the air delivery mode or
fan speed.
9(Off):Select this position on the fan knob to turn
off the entire climate control system. Outside air will
still enter the vehicle, and will be directed to the
oor. This direction can be changed by changing the
mode position. The temperature can also be adjusted
using either the up or down arrow temperature buttons.
9(Fan):The knob with the fan symbol allows you
to manually adjust the fan speed.
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):This mode directs half of the air to
the instrument panel outlets, and the remaining air to
the oor outlets.
3-28