CHEVROLET MALIBU 2012 7.G Service Manual

Black plate (11,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-11
Vehicle Security
This vehicle has theft-deterrent
features; however, they do not make
it impossible to steal.
Anti-theft Alarm System
Your vehicle may have an anti-theft
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 flashes once every
three seconds.
If the security light is flashing 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
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 flash if any door is
opened while armed.
Disarming the System
To disarm the system:
.Press the RKE transmitter
unlock button.
.Turn the ignition to ON/RUN.
Once the system is disarmed, the
security light will stop flashing.
How the System Alarm is
Activated
To activate the system if it is armed:
.Open the driver's door or trunk.
A ten second pre-alarm chirp
will sound followed by a
thirty second full alarm of horn
and lights.
.Open any other door. A full
alarm of horn and lights will
immediately sound for thirty
seconds.
.Open the hood. If the vehicle
has the remote start feature,
it will activate the full alarm.

Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
2-12 Keys, Doors, and Windows
When an alarm event has finished,
the system will re-arm itself
automatically.
How to Turn Off the System
Alarm
To turn off the system alarm:
.Press the lock button on the
RKE transmitter. The system will
then re-arm itself.
.Press the unlock button on the
RKE transmitter. This will also
disarm the system.
.Insert the key in the ignition and
turn it on. This will also disarm
the system.
How to Detect a Tamper
Condition
If three chirps are heard when the
unlock or lock button is pressed on
the RKE transmitter, it means that
the system alarm was previously
triggered.
Immobilizer
SeeRadio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑22 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-GEN/210/220/310.
Immobilizer Operation
This vehicle has a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system does not have to be
manually armed or disarmed.
The vehicle is automatically
immobilized when the key is
removed from the ignition.
The system is automatically
disarmed when the vehicle is
started with the correct key. The key
uses a transponder that matches an
immobilizer control unit in the
vehicle and automatically disarms
the system. Only the correct key
starts the vehicle. The vehicle may
not start if the key is damaged.
The security light, located in the
instrument panel cluster, comes on
if there is a problem with arming or
disarming the theft-deterrent
system.
When trying to start the vehicle, the
security light comes on briefly when
the ignition is turned on.
If the engine does not start and the
security light stays on there is a
problem with the system. Turn the
ignition off and try again.
If the engine still does not start, and
the key appears to be undamaged
or the light continues to stay on, try
another ignition key. If the engine
does not start with the other key, the
vehicle needs service. If the vehicle
does start, the first key may be

Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-13
damaged. See your dealer who can
service the theft-deterrent system
and have a new key made.
It is possible for the theft-deterrent
system decoder to learn the
transponder value of a new or
replacement key. Up to 10 keys can
be programmed for the vehicle.
The following procedure is for
programming additional keys only.
To program the new key:
1. Verify that the new key hasa
1stamped on it.
2. Insert the already programmed key in the ignition and start the
engine. If the engine will not
start, see your dealer for service.
3. After the engine has started, turn the key to LOCK/OFF, and
remove the key. 4. Insert the key to be programmed
and turn it to ON/RUN within
five seconds of the original key
being turned to LOCK/OFF in
Step 3.
The security light will turn off
once the key has been
programmed. It may not be
apparent that the security light
went on due to how quickly the
key is programmed.
5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 if additional keys are to be
programmed.
Do not leave the key or device that
disarms or deactivates the theft
deterrent system in the vehicle.
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors
{WARNING
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 the
right. Check the inside mirror or
glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
The passenger side mirror is convex
shaped. A convex mirror's surface is
curved so more can be seen from
the driver seat.

Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
2-14 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Power Mirrors
Controls for the outside power
mirrors are located on the
driver door.
To adjust the mirrors:
1. Move the selector switch locatedbelow the four-way control pad
to the left or right to choose
either the driver side or
passenger side mirror. 2. Press one of the four arrows
located on the control pad to
move the mirror to the desired
direction.
3. Adjust each outside mirror so that a little of the vehicle and the
area behind it can be seen.
Keep the selector switch in the
center position when not adjusting
either outside mirror.
Manually fold the mirrors inward
to prevent damage when going
through an automatic car wash.
To fold, push the mirror toward the
vehicle. Push the mirror outward,
to return to its original position.
Heated Mirrors
For vehicles with heated mirrors:
1(Rear Defogger): Press to heat
the mirrors.
See “Rear Window Defogger” under
Automatic Climate Control System
on page 8‑5 for more information.
Interior Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
Hold the inside rearview mirror in
the center to move it for a clearer
view of behind your vehicle. Adjust
the mirror to avoid glare from the
headlamps behind. Push the tab
forward for daytime use and pull it
for nighttime use.
Vehicles with OnStar
®have three
control buttons located at the
bottom of the mirror. See your
dealer for more information on the
system and how to subscribe to
OnStar. See OnStar Overview on
page 14‑1.
Automatic Dimming
Rearview Mirror
The vehicle may have an automatic
dimming inside rearview mirror with
a compass display and OnStar
®
controls. See your dealer for more

Black plate (15,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-15
information on the system and
how to subscribe to OnStar®.
See OnStar Overview on page 14‑1.
See Compass on page 5‑5 for more
information.
O(On/Off): Press to turn the
dimming feature on or off.
Automatic Dimming Mirror
Operation
Automatic dimming reduces the
glare of lights from behind the
vehicle. The dimming feature comes
on and the indicator light illuminates
each time the vehicle is started.
Cleaning the Mirror
Do not spray glass cleaner directly
on the mirror. Use a soft towel
dampened with water.
Windows
{WARNING
Leaving children, helpless adults,
or pets in a vehicle with the
windows closed is dangerous.
They can be overcome by the
extreme heat and suffer
permanent injuries or even death
from heat stroke. Never leave a
child, a helpless adult, or a pet
alone in a vehicle, especially with
the windows closed in warm or
hot weather.
The vehicle aerodynamics are
designed to improve fuel economy
performance. This may result in a
pulsing sound when either rear
window is down and the front
windows are up. To reduce the
sound, open either a front window
or the sunroof (if equipped).

Black plate (16,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
2-16 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Power Windows
Press the front of the switch to open
the window. Pull the switch up to
close it.
Express-Down Window
The driver window has an
express-down feature. This switch
is labeled AUTO. Press the front
all the way down and release,
to automatically lower.
To stop the window while it is
lowering, pull the front of the switch
momentarily. To raise the window,
pull and hold the front of the switch.
Express-Up Window
On windows with this feature, pull
the switch up to the second position
and release the switch to activate
the express-up feature. To stop the
window as it is going up, pull up or
press down briefly on the switch
again.
Programming the Power
Windows
If the battery on the vehicle has
been recharged or disconnected,
or is not working, the driver
power window will need to be
re-programmed for the express-up
feature to work. Replace or
recharge the vehicle battery before
reprogramming.
To program the driver window:
1. With the ignition in ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN,
or when Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) is active, close all
doors. 2. Press and hold the power
window switch until the window
is fully open.
3. Pull the power window switch up until the window is fully closed.
4. Continue holding the switch up for approximately two seconds
after the window is completely
closed.
The window is now reprogrammed.Express Window Anti-Pinch
Feature
If any object is in the path of the
window when the express‐up is
active, the window stops at the
obstruction and auto‐reverses to a
preset factory position. Weather
conditions such as severe icing
may also cause the window to
auto‐reverse. The window return
s to normal operation once the
obstruction or condition is removed.

Black plate (17,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-17
Express Window Anti‐Pinch
Override
{WARNING
If express override is activated,
the window will not reverse
automatically. You or others could
be injured and the window could
be damaged. Before you use
express override, make sure that
all people and obstructions are
clear of the window path.
In an emergency, the anti‐pinch
feature can be overridden in a
supervised mode. Hold the window
switch all the way up to the second
position. The window rises for as
long as the switch is held. Once the
switch is released, the express
mode is re‐activated.
In this mode, the window can still
close on an object in its path. Use
care when using the override mode.
Window Lockout
The rear window lockout switch is
on the driver door. This feature
prevents the rear passenger
windows from operating, except
from the driver position.
Press
oon the right side to
activate the lockout switch.
The red line on the switch is not
visible when activated.
Press
oon the left side to
deactivate the lockout switch.
The red line on the switch is visible
when deactivated.
Sun Visors
Pull the sun visor down to block
glare. Detach the sun visor from the
center mount to pivot to the side
window, or to extend along the rod,
if available.

Black plate (18,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
2-18 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Roof
Sunroof
The sunroof only operates when
the ignition is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY, or if Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) is active.
SeeRetained Accessory Power
(RAP) on page 9‑21.
Press and release the back of the
switch to open the sunroof to the
vent position. From the vent
position, press and release the back of the switch to express-open
the sunroof. To stop the sunroof
from express-opening, press the
switch again. If the sunshade is
closed, it will open automatically
when the sunroof opens past the
vented position.
A deflector will automatically raise
when the sunroof is opened.
The deflector will retract when the
sunroof is closed.
To close the sunroof, press the front
of the switch and hold it until the
sunroof is closed. The sunroof will
stop if the switch is released.
Close the sunshade by hand.
The sunroof glass panel cannot be
opened or closed if the vehicle has
an electrical failure.
Notice:
Forcing the sunshade
forward of the sliding glass panel
may cause damage and the
sunroof may not operate properly.
Always close the glass panel
before closing the sunshade.
Dirt and debris may collect on
the sunroof seal or in the track.
This could cause an issue with
sunroof operation, noise,
or plugging the water drainage
system. Periodically open the
sunroof and remove any obstacles
or loose debris. Wipe the sunroof
seal and roof sealing area using a
clean cloth, mild soap, and water.
Do not remove grease from the
sunroof.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Seats and Restraints 3-1
Seats and
Restraints
Head Restraints
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Power Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . 3-4
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Heated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Rear Seats
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Safety Belts
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16
Safety Belt Extender . . . . . . . . . 3-17 Safety System Check . . . . . . . . 3-17
Safety Belt Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-18
Replacing Safety Belt System
Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-18
Airbag System
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-19
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . 3-21
When Should an AirbagInflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-23
How Does an Airbag Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
Passenger Sensing
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-26
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30
Adding Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . 3-31
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . 3-32
Replacing Airbag System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-32
Child Restraints
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-33
Infants and YoungChildren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35
Child Restraint Systems . . . . . 3-37
Where to Put the Restraint . . . 3-40
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-42
Replacing LATCH System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-48
Securing Child Restraints (Rear Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-49
Securing Child Restraints (Front Passenger Seat) . . . . 3-51

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
3-2 Seats and Restraints
Head Restraints
The vehicle's front and rear seats
have adjustable head restraints in
the outboard seating positions.
{WARNING
With head restraints that are
not installed and adjusted
properly, there is a greater
chance that occupants will suffer
a neck/spinal injury in a crash.
Do not drive until the head
restraints for all occupants are
installed and adjusted properly.
Adjust the head restraint so that the
top of the restraint is at the same
height as the top of the occupant's
head. This position reduces the
chance of a neck injury in a crash.
The height of the head restraint can
be adjusted. Pull the head restraint
up to raise it. Try to move the head
restraint to make sure that it is
locked in place.To lower the head restraint, press
the button located on top of the
seatback, and push the head
restraint down. Try to move the
head restraint after the button is
released to make sure that it is
locked in place.
The vehicle's front and rear seat
outboard head restraints are not
designed to be removed.