air conditioning CHEVROLET MALIBU 2012 7.G Owners Manual

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Introduction v
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the Index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
%:Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar®
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B: Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.: Fuel Gauge
+:Fuses
3: Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j: LATCH System Child
Restraints
*: Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
d:Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control (ESC)
M: Windshield Washer Fluid

Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
1-14 In Brief
Climate Controls
A. Fan Control
B. Air Recirculation
C. Temperature Control
D. Outside AirE. Air Delivery Mode Control
F. Air Conditioning
G. Rear Window Defogger
See
Climate Control Systems on
page 8‑1 (If Equipped).

Black plate (15,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-15
Automatic Climate Control System (If Equipped)
A. Fan Control
B. Air Conditioning
C. Air Recirculation
D. Outside Air
E. Rear Window DefoggerF. Air Delivery Mode Control
G. Display
H. Temperature Control
See
Automatic Climate Control
System on page 8‑5 (If Equipped).
Transmission
Driver Shift Control (DSC)
This position allows you to change
gears similar to a manual
transmission. To use this feature:
1. Move the shift lever from
D (Drive) rearward to
M (Manual).
2. Press the + (plus) end of thebutton on the side of the shifter
to upshift, or push the −(minus)
end of the button to downshift.
See Manual Mode on page 9‑26.

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-5
Remote Vehicle Start
Your vehicle may have a remote
starting feature that allows you to
start the engine from outside the
vehicle. It may also start 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 these systems will
return after the ignition key is
turned to ON/RUN.
Laws in some communities may
restrict the use of remote starters.
For example, some laws may
require a person using remote start
to have the vehicle in view when
doing so. 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.
If your vehicle has the remote start
feature, the RKE transmitter
functions will have an increased
range of operation. However, the
range may be less while the vehicle
is running.
There are other conditions which
can affect the performance of the
transmitter, see
Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System on page 2‑2 for
additional information.
/ (Remote Start): This button will
be on the RKE transmitter if the
vehicle has remote start.
To start the vehicle using the remote
start feature:
1. Aim the transmitter at the vehicle.
2. Press and release the transmitter's lock button, then
immediately press and hold the
transmitter's remote start button for about four seconds or until
the vehicle's turn signal lamps
flash. The doors will lock.
When the vehicle starts, the
parking lamps turn on and
remain on while the engine is
running.
The remote start feature provides
two separate starts per ignition
cycle, each with 10 minutes of
engine running time, or one start
with a time extension. The first start
must expire or be canceled to get
two separate 10 minute starts.
If it is the first remote start since the
vehicle has been driven, repeat the
previous steps, while the engine is
still running, to extend the engine
running time by 10 minutes from the
time you repeat the steps for remote
starting. The remote start running
time can be extended one time and
only after the first remote start.
After entering the vehicle during a
remote start, insert and turn the key
to ON/RUN to drive the vehicle.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Climate Controls 8-1
Climate Controls
Climate Control Systems
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Automatic Climate ControlSystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5
Air Vents
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
Climate Control Systems
The heating, cooling and ventilation for the vehicle can be controlled with
this system.
A. Fan Control
B. Recirculation
C. Temperature Control
D. Outside Air E. Air Delivery Mode Control
F. Air Conditioning
G. Rear Window Defogger

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
8-2 Climate Controls
Operation
Temperature Control:Turn
clockwise or counterclockwise to
increase or decrease the
temperature inside the vehicle.
When it is cold outside −18°C (0°F)
or lower, use the engine coolant
heater, if vehicle has one, to provide
warmer air faster to the vehicle.
An engine coolant heater warms
the coolant the engine uses that
provides heat to warm the inside of
the vehicle. For more information,
see Engine Heater on page 9‑20.
9(Fan Control): Turn clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the fan speed. The fan
must be on to run the
air-conditioning compressor.
Air Delivery Mode Control:
Turn clockwise or counterclockwise
to change the current airflow mode. Select from the following:
H(Vent):
Air is directed to the
instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level): Air is divided
between the instrument panel and
floor outlets. Some air will be
directed toward the side windows.
6(Floor): Air is directed to the
floor outlets with some air directed
to the windshield and side window
outlets.
-(Defog): This mode clears the
windows of fog or moisture. Air is
directed to the windshield and floor
outlets, with some air directed to the
side windows. When this mode is
selected, the system automatically
turns off recirculation and runs the
air-conditioning compressor unless
the outside temperature is at or
below freezing. The air-conditioning
compressor operates although
the indicator light is not on.
The air-conditioning indicator light
turns 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 quickly
clears the windshield of fog or frost.
Air is directed to the windshield with
some air directed to the floor vents.
In this mode, outside air is pulled
into the vehicle. The air-conditioning
compressor will not run unless the
outside temperature is at or below
freezing. The air-conditioning
compressor operates although
the indicator light is not on.
The air-conditioning indicator light
turns off when defrost is selected.

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Climate Controls 8-3
If the air-conditioning button is
pressed while in defrost mode, the
indicator light turns on. If the button
is pressed again, the light turns off.
Recirculation cannot be selected
while in the defrost mode.
To help clear the windshield quickly,
do the following:
1. Select
0.
2. Select the highest temperature.
3. Select the highest fan speed.
#(Air Conditioning): Press to
turn the air conditioning system on
or off. An indicator light comes on to
show it is on.
The air-conditioning system
removes moisture from the air, so a
small amount of water might drip
under the vehicle while it is idling or
after the engine is turned off is
normal.
Maximum Air Conditioning
On hot days, open the windows to
let hot inside air escape; then close
them. This helps reduce the time it
takes for the vehicle to cool down.
It also helps the air conditioning
system operate more efficiently.
For quick cool down on hot days,
do the following:
1. Select the
Cvent 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 can cause the
air inside of the vehicle to become
too dry. To prevent this from
happening, after the air in the
vehicle has cooled, turn the
recirculation mode off.
:(Outside Air): Press to
turn the outside air mode on.
An indicator light comes on to
show that it is on. Air from outside
the vehicle will circulate throughout
the vehicle. The outside air mode
can be used with all modes,
but it cannot be used with the
recirculation mode. Press
:to
cancel the recirculation mode.
?(Recirculation): Press to
turn the recirculation mode on.
An indicator light comes on to show
that it is on. This mode recirculates
and helps to quickly cool the air
inside the vehicle. It can be used
to prevent outside air and odors
from entering the vehicle.
The recirculation indicator light
blinks three times if you try to use
recirculation in a mode in which it
cannot function.
Pressing this button cancels the
outside air mode. When switching
to the defog or defrost modes
the system automatically moves
from recirculation to outside air.

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Climate Controls 8-5
Automatic Climate Control System
For vehicles with this system, the heating, cooling, and ventilation can be
automatically controlled.
A. Fan Control
B. Air Conditioning
C. Recirculation
D. Outside AirE. Rear Window Defogger
F. Air Delivery Mode Control
G. Display
H. Temperature Control
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 controls the inside
temperature and air delivery.
To place the system in automatic
mode do the following:
1. Turn the fan knob and the mode knob to the AUTO position.
The current set temperature
displays. When AUTO is
selected, the air conditioning
operation and air inlet is
automatically controlled. The air
conditioning compressor runs
while the outside temperature is
over about 40°F (4°C). The air
inlet will normally be set to
outside air. If it is hot outside,
the air inlet may automatically
switch to recirculate inside air to
help quickly cool down the
vehicle.

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Climate Controls 8-7
Select from the following:
H(Vent):Air is directed to the
instrument panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level): Air is divided
between the instrument panel
outlets and the floor outlets.
6(Floor): Air is directed to the
floor outlets with some air directed
to the side window outlets.
-(Defog): This mode clears the
windows of fog or moisture. Air is
directed to the floor and windshield
outlets.
0(Defrost): This mode clears the
windows of fog or frost more quickly.
The system automatically controls
the fan speed if defrost is selected
from the AUTO mode. If the outside
temperature is 4°C (40°F) or
warmer, the air conditioning
compressor automatically runs to
help dehumidify the air and dry the
windshield. The air conditioning
indicator light blinks three times if
the compressor is turned off while
in this mode.
#(Air Conditioning): Press turn
the air conditioning on and off.
An indicator light turns on to show
the air conditioning is on.
When air conditioning is selected or
is in AUTO mode, the system runs
the air conditioning automatically to
cool and dehumidify the air entering
the vehicle.
On hot days, open the windows long
enough to let hot inside air escape.
This reduces the time it takes for the
vehicle to cool down. Then keep
the windows closed for the air
conditioner to work its best.
On cool, but sunny days while using
manual operation of the automatic
system, use bi-level to deliver warm
air to the floor and cooler air to the
instrument panel outlets. To warm or
cool the air delivered, press the
temperature buttons to the desired
setting. In AUTO mode the system cools
and dehumidifies the air inside
the vehicle. Also while in AUTO
mode, the system maximizes its
performance by using recirculation
as necessary.
Heating:
On cold days when using
manual operation of the automatic
system, use floor mode to deliver air
to the floor outlets. To warm or cool
the air delivered, press
xorwto
the desired temperature setting.
To use the automatic mode, turn the
knob to AUTO and press
xorwto
adjust the temperature.
:(Outside Air): Press to
turn the outside air mode on.
An indicator light comes on to show
it is on. Air from outside the vehicle
will circulate throughout the vehicle.
The outside air mode can be used
with all modes, but it cannot be
used with the recirculation mode.
Pressing this button cancels the
recirculation mode.

Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
8-8 Climate Controls
h(Recirculation):Press to
turn the recirculation mode on.
An indicator light above the
button comes on to show it is on.
This mode recirculates and helps
to quickly cool the air inside the
vehicle. It can be used to help
prevent outside air and odors
from entering the vehicle.
The recirculation indicator light
blinks three times if you try to use
recirculation in a mode in which it
cannot function.
Pressing this button cancels the
auto recirculation feature. Each time
the vehicle is started, the system
reverts to the auto recirculation
function.
The recirculation mode cannot be
used with the floor, defrost, or defog
modes. If recirculation is selected in
these modes, the indicator flashes
three times and turns off to indicate
that this is not allowed. This is to
prevent window fogging. When the weather is cool or damp,
operating the system in recirculation
for extended periods of time can
cause fogging of the vehicle's
windows. To clear the fog, select
either defog or defrost. Make sure
the air conditioning is on. Allow the
air conditioning to run automatically
to help dehumidify the air.
To improve fuel efficiency and to
cool the vehicle faster, recirculation
may be automatically selected in
warm weather. The recirculation
light will not come on. To override
this feature, select outside air.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a
warming grid to remove fog from the
rear window.
1(Rear):
Press to turn the
rear window defogger on or off.
An indicator light comes on to show
that the rear window defogger is on. If driving below 80 km/h (50 mph),
the rear window defogger turns off
about 15 minutes after the button is
pressed. If additional warming time
is needed, press the button again.
If the vehicle's speed is maintained
above 80 km/h (50 mph), the rear
window defogger remains on once
the button is pressed.
For vehicles with heated outside
mirrors, the surface of the outside
mirrors will also heat when the rear
window defogger is activated.
See
Heated Mirrors on page 2‑14.
Notice: Do not use a razor blade
or sharp object to clear the inside
rear window. Do not adhere
anything to the defogger grid
lines in the rear glass. These
actions may damage the rear
defogger. Repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.