instrument cluster CHEVROLET MALIBU 2009 7.G Owners Manual

{CAUTION:
Children who are up against, or very close to, any
airbag when it inates can be seriously injured
or killed. Airbags plus lap-shoulder belts offer
protection for adults and older children, but not for
young children and infants. Neither the vehicle’s
safety belt system nor its airbag system is designed
for them. Young children and infants need the
protection that a child restraint system can provide.
Always secure children properly in your vehicle.
To read how, seeOlder Children on page 1-32or
Infants and Young Children on page 1-35.
There is an airbag readiness light on the
instrument panel 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. SeeAirbag Readiness Light on page 3-31
for more information.
Where Are the Airbags?
The driver’s frontal airbag is in the middle of the
steering wheel.
1-60

Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
This vehicle has theft-deterrent features, however,
they do not make it impossible to steal.
Content Theft-Deterrent
Your vehicle may have a
content theft-deterrent
alarm system.
Arming the System
With the ignition off, press the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter lock button to arm the system.
The system will arm 30 seconds after all the doors
are closed, or 60 seconds with any door open.
If you press the lock button on the transmitter a second
time while all the doors are closed, the system will arm
immediately. The system will still arm in 60 seconds if a
door is open. When the open door is closed, the system
will arm.The security light, located on the instrument panel
cluster, comes on to indicate that arming has been
initiated. Once the system is armed, the security light
ashes once every three seconds.
If the security light is ashing twice per second, this
means that a door is open.
If the system is armed and the key is used to unlock the
vehicle, the alarm will be activated.
If you do not want to arm the content theft system,
lock the vehicle with the manual lock knob on the doors
or with the inside power door lock switches.
The alarm will sound and the exterior lights will ash if
any door is opened while armed.
Disarming the System
To disarm the system, do one of the following:
Press the RKE transmitter unlock button.
Turn the ignition to ON/RUN.
Once the system is disarmed, the security light will stop
ashing.
2-18

PASS-Key®III+ Electronic
Immobilizer Operation
Your vehicle has PASS-Key®III+ (Personalized
Automotive Security System) theft-deterrent system.
PASS-Key
®III+ is a passive theft-deterrent system.
The system is automatically armed when the key
is removed from the ignition.
You do not have to manually arm or disarm the system.
The security light will come on if there is a problem
with arming or disarming the theft-deterrent system.
When the PASS-Key
®III+ system senses that someone
is using the wrong key, it prevents the vehicle from
starting. Anyone using a trial-and-error method to start
the vehicle will be discouraged because of the high
number of electrical key codes.
When trying to start the vehicle if the engine does not
start and the security light on the instrument panel
cluster comes on, there may be a problem with your
theft-deterrent system. Turn the ignition off and try again.If the engine still does not start, and the key appears
to be not damaged, try another ignition key. At this time,
you may also want to check the fuse. SeeFuses on
page 5-99. If the engine still does not start with the other
key, your vehicle needs service. If your vehicle does start,
the rst key may be faulty. See your dealer/retailer who
can service the PASS-Key
®III+ to have a new key made.
In an emergency, contact Roadside Assistance.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-7.
It may be possible for the PASS-Key
®III+ decoder to
“learn” the transponder value of a new or replacement
key. Up to 10 keys may be programmed for the vehicle.
The following procedure is for programming additional
keys only. If all the currently programmed keys are lost
or do not operate, you must see your dealer/retailer or a
locksmith who can service PASS-Key
®III+ to have keys
made and programmed to the system.
See your dealer/retailer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key
®III+ to get a new key blank that is cut
exactly as the ignition key that operates the system.
2-20

2. Press the + (plus) paddle located on top of
the steering wheel controls forward to upshift,
or push the backside of the shift paddle rearward
to downshift.
The Driver Information Center (DIC) in the instrument
cluster will change from the currently displayed message
to the letter “M”, For Manual position, and a number
indicating the requested gear range when moving
the shift lever forward or rearward.
While using the DSC feature the transmission will have
rmer shifting and sportier performance. You can use
this for sport driving or when climbing hills to stay in gear
longer or to downshift for more power or engine braking.The transmission will only allow you to shift into gears
appropriate for the vehicle speed and engine revolutions
per minute (RPM):
The transmission will not automatically shift to the
next higher gear if the vehicle speed or engine
RPM is too low.
The transmission will not allow shifting to the next
lower gear if the vehicle speed or engine RPM is
too high.
Second or Third Gear Start Feature
When accelerating the vehicle from a stop in snowy and
icy conditions, you may want to shift the gear select tap
switch into Second or Third gear. A higher gear allows
you to gain more traction on slippery surfaces.
With the DSC feature, the vehicle can be set to pull
away in Second or Third gear.
1. Move the shift lever from D (Drive) into the
M (Manual Mode).
2. With the vehicle stopped, press (+) end of the
button to select Second or Third gear. The vehicle
will start from a stop position in Second or Third gear.
3. Once moving select the desired drive gear.
2-31

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Horn .............................................................3-6
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel...................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-7
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-8
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-8
Windshield Washer.........................................3-9
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Headlamps..................................................3-13
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-14
Headlamps Off in Park..................................3-14
Delayed Headlamps......................................3-14
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-14
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-15
Fog Lamps ..................................................3-15
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-16
Dome Lamps ...............................................3-16
Entry/Exit Lighting.........................................3-16
Parade Dimming...........................................3-16
Reading Lamps............................................3-16Electric Power Management...........................3-17
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-18
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-18
Power Outlet 115 Volt Alternating Current........3-19
Climate Controls............................................3-20
Climate Control System.................................3-20
Automatic Climate Control System...................3-24
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-27
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-28
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-29
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-30
Trip Odometer.............................................
.3-30
Tachometer.................................................3-30
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-30
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-31
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-32
Charging System Light..................................3-33
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-34
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light.....3-35
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction
Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning
Light........................................................3-35
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A.Outlet Adjustment on page 3-27.
B.Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
C. Driver Shift Control (If Equipped).Automatic
Transmission Operation (Four Speed Transmission)
on page 2-26orAutomatic Transmission Operation
(Six Speed Transmission) on page 2-28.
D.Instrument Panel Cluster on page 3-29.
E.Windshield Wipers on page 3-8andWindshield
Washer on page 3-9.
F.Instrument Panel Storage on page 2-50.
G.Audio System(s) on page 3-56.
H.Instrument Panel Brightness on page 3-16.
Fog Lamps on page 3-15.
I.Driver Storage Compartment on page 2-51.
J.Hood Release on page 5-14.
K.Cruise Control on page 3-10.Driver Information
Center (DIC) on page 3-43.L.Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel on page 3-6.
M.Horn on page 3-6.
N.Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-89
(If Equipped).
O.Ignition Positions on page 2-22.
P.Climate Control System on page 3-20orAutomatic
Climate Control System on page 3-24.
Q.Hazard Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
R. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
(Four Speed Transmission) on page 2-26or
Automatic Transmission Operation (Six Speed
Transmission) on page 2-28.
S.Front Storage Area on page 2-50.Accessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-18.
T.Passenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-32.
U.Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-8.
V.Glove Box on page 2-50.
3-5

Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
G:Turn and Lane-Change Signals
53:Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
O:Exterior Lamp Control
Flash-to-Pass.
Information for these features is on the pages following.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster ashes in the
direction of the turn or
lane change.
Move the lever all the way up or down to signal a turn.
Raise or lower the lever until the arrow starts to ash
to signal a lane change. Hold it there until lane change
is complete.
The lever returns to its starting position when it is
released.
If after signaling a turn or lane change the arrows ash
rapidly or do not come on, a signal bulb could be
burned out.
Have the bulbs replaced. If the bulb is not burned out,
check the fuse. SeeFuses on page 5-99.
3-7

Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high beam,
push the turn signal/multifunction lever away from you.
This instrument panel cluster light
3comes on if the
high beam lamps are turned on while the ignition
is in ON/RUN.
To change the headlamps from high beam to low beam,
pull the turn signal lever toward you.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets the high-beam headlamps be used to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.
Pull the turn signal/multifunction lever toward you until
the high-beam headlamps come on, then release
the lever to turn them off.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wiper lever is located on the right side of
the steering wheel.
Move the lever to control the windshield wipers.
9(Off):Turns off the windshield wipers.
&(Intermittent; Speed Sensitive Wipers):For
intermittent or speed sensitive operation. The amount
of delay time varies between wiping cycles due to the
delay setting selected or the speed of the vehicle. As
vehicle speed is increased or decreased, the wiper
interval also increases or decreases.
3-8

The cruise control buttons
are located on the steering
wheel.
I(On/Off):Press to turn the cruise control system on
and off.
RES+ (Resume):Press to resume a set speed and to
accelerate the speed.
SET−(Set):Press to set a speed and to decrease the
speed.To set a speed do the following:
1. Press
Ito turn cruise control on. The indicator
light on the button comes on.
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press the SET−and release it. The cruise symbol
displays in the instrument panel cluster to show the
system is engaged.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
When the brakes are applied, the cruise control
shuts off.
If the vehicle is in cruise control and the Traction Control
System (TCS) or Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise control automatically
disengages. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 4-8andElectronic Stability Control (ESC) on
page 4-6. When road conditions allow, the cruise control
can be used again.
3-11

Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a desired speed and then
the brakes are applied, the cruise control is disengaged.
The cruise symbol in the instrument panel cluster also
goes out indicating cruise is no longer engaged. To
return to the previously set speed, you do not need to
repeat the set process again. Once at a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more, briey press the RES+.
This takes the vehicle back up to the previously chosen
speed and stays there.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed.
If the cruise control system is already engaged,
press the RES+. Hold it there until the desired
speed is reached and then release the button.
To increase the vehicle speed in very small
amounts, briey press the RES+ and then release
it. Each time this is done, the vehicle goes about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
If the cruise control system is already engaged:
Push and hold the SET−until the desired lower
speed is reached, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, briey push
the SET−. Each time this is done, the vehicle
goes about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase the vehicle’s
speed. When you take your foot off the pedal, the vehicle
slows down to the previously set cruise control speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works on hills depends upon
the vehicle’s speed, load, and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you might have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain the vehicle’s speed. When
going downhill, you might have to brake or shift to a lower
gear to keep the vehicle at a lower speed. When the
brakes are applied this ends the cruise control.
3-12