engine CHEVROLET MALIBU 2020 User Guide

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
30 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Warning (Continued)
system override, make sure that
all people and obstructions are
clear of the window path.
When the engine is on, override the
automatic reversal system by pulling
and holding the window switch if
conditions prevent it from closing.
Programming the Power
Windows
Programming may be necessary if
the vehicle's battery has been
disconnected or discharged. If the
window is unable to express-up,
program each express-close
window: 1. Close all doors.
2. Turn the ignition on or to ACC/ ACCESSORY.
3. Partially open the window to be programmed. Then close it and
continue to pull the switch
briefly after the window has
fully closed. 4. Open the window and continue
to press the switch briefly after
the window has fully opened.
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.
The vehicle may have mirror lamps.
The lamps turn on and off when the
cover is opened and closed.
Roof
Sunroof
If equipped, the ignition must be on
or in ACC/ACCESSORY,
or Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
must be active to operate the
sunroof. See Ignition Positions
0 155 and
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
0 160.
1. Sunroof Switch
2. Sunshade Switch

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
Seats and Restraints 41
To stop Seat Exit Memory
movement, press any of the
following memory controls:
.Power seat
. Memory SET, 1, 2, or
B
.Power mirror, with the driver or
passenger side mirror selected
. Power steering wheel,
if equipped
Obstructions
If something has blocked the driver
seat and/or power steering wheel
while recalling a memory position,
the recall may stop. Remove the
obstruction and try the recall again.
If the memory position still does not
recall, see your dealer.
Heated and Ventilated
Front Seats
{Warning
If temperature change or pain to
the skin cannot be felt, the seat
heater may cause burns. To
reduce the risk of burns, use care
when using the seat heater,
especially for long periods of
time. Do not place anything on
the seat that insulates against
heat, such as a blanket, cushion,
cover, or similar item. This may
cause the seat heater to
overheat. An overheated seat
heater may cause a burn or may
damage the seat.
If available, the buttons are on the
climate control panel. To operate,
the engine must be running.
Press
LorMto heat the driver or
passenger seat cushion and
seatback. Indicator lights on the
button show the current setting.
Press the button once for the
highest setting. With each press of
the button, the heated seat will
change to the next lower setting,
and then to the off setting. The
lights indicate three for the highest
setting and one for the lowest.
The passenger seat may take
longer to heat up.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
46 Seats and Restraints
Warning (Continued)
passengers to ride in any area of
the vehicle that is not equipped
with seats and seat belts.
Always wear a seat belt, and
check that all passenger(s) are
restrained properly too.
This vehicle has indicators as a
reminder to buckle the seat belts.
See Seat Belt Reminders 0102.
Buckle to Drive Feature
If equipped, this feature prevents
the vehicle from shifting out of
P (Park) when Teen Driver is active
and the driver seat belt is not
buckled. See “Teen Driver”in the
infotainment manual. If the engine is
running, the driver seat belt is not
buckled, and the brake pedal is
pressed with the vehicle in P (Park),
a message displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). Buckle the
driver seat belt to shift out of
P (Park). Shifting from P (Park) will
be prevented once for each ignition cycle. For fleet vehicles, shifting
from P (Park) will be prevented each
time these conditions exist.
On some models, Buckle to Drive
may also prevent shifting out of
P (Park) if a front passenger is
unbuckled under similar conditions.
A message displays in the DIC.
Buckle the front passenger seat belt
to shift out of P (Park). This feature
may not allow the vehicle to shift out
of P (Park) if an object, such as a
briefcase, handbag, grocery bag,
laptop, or other electronic device, is
on the front passenger seat. If this
happens, remove the object from
the seat or buckle the seat belt to
shift out of P (Park).
If the driver or present front
passenger remains unbuckled, the
DIC message will turn off after
several seconds and the vehicle can
be shifted out of P (Park). See
“Seat
Belts” and“Child Restraints” in the
Index for information about the
importance of proper restraint use.
If the driver seat belt, and/or the
front passenger seat belt on some
vehicles, is unbuckled when driving, the seat belt reminder chime and
light(s) will come on. See
Seat Belt
Reminders 0102.
This feature may not function
properly if the airbag readiness light
is on. See Airbag Readiness Light
0 102.
Why Seat Belts Work
When riding in a vehicle, you travel
as fast as the vehicle does. If the
vehicle stops suddenly, you keep
going until something stops you.
It could be the windshield, the
instrument panel, or the seat belts!

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
Seats and Restraints 59
fuel system after the airbags inflate.
The feature may also activate,
without airbag inflation, after an
event that exceeds a predetermined
threshold. After turning the ignition
off and then on again, the fuel
system will return to normal
operation; the doors can be locked,
the interior lamps can be turned off,
and the hazard warning flashers can
be turned off using the controls for
those features. If any of these
systems are damaged in the crash
they may not operate as normal.
{Warning
A crash severe enough to inflate
the airbags may have also
damaged important functions in
the vehicle, such as the fuel
system, brake and steering
systems, etc. Even if the vehicle
appears to be drivable after a
moderate crash, there may be
concealed damage that could
make it difficult to safely operate
the vehicle.(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Use caution if you should attempt
to restart the engine after a crash
has occurred.
In many crashes severe enough to
inflate the airbag, windshields are
broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may
also occur from the front outboard
passenger airbag.
. Airbags are designed to inflate
only once. After an airbag
inflates, you will need some new
parts for the airbag system.
If you do not get them, the
airbag system will not be there
to help protect you in another
crash. A new system will include
airbag modules and possibly
other parts. The service manual
for the vehicle covers the need
to replace other parts.
. The vehicle has a crash sensing
and diagnostic module which
records information after a crash. See
Vehicle Data
Recording and Privacy 0331
and
Event Data Recorders 0332.
. Let only qualified technicians
work on the airbag systems.
Improper service can mean that
an airbag system will not work
properly. See your dealer for
service.
Passenger Sensing
System
The vehicle has a passenger
sensing system for the front
outboard passenger position. The
passenger airbag status indicator
will light on the overhead console
when the vehicle is started.
United States and Canada

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
88 Instruments and Controls
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . 89
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 89
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . 89
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . 89
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Instrument Cluster (Base Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Instrument Cluster (Uplevel) . . . 97
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . 102
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 102
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 104
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 104
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 108
Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . 108
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . 109
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light
(Uplevel Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . . 110
Low Fuel Warning Light (Base Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 Low Fuel Warning Light
(Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 112
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . 112
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 112
Door Ajar Light (Uplevel) . . . . . 113
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 120
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . 120
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 120

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
Instruments and Controls 95
Warning Lights,
Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning lights and gauges can
signal that something is wrong
before it becomes serious enough
to cause an expensive repair or
replacement. Paying attention to the
warning lights and gauges could
prevent injury.
Some warning lights come on briefly
when the engine is started to
indicate they are working. When
one of the warning lights comes on
and stays on while driving, or when
one of the gauges shows there may
be a problem, check the section that
explains what to do. Waiting to do
repairs can be costly and even
dangerous.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
Instruments and Controls 99
Units :Presspwhile Units is
displayed to enter the Units menu.
Choose U.S. or metric units by
pressing
Vwhile the desired item is
highlighted.
Display Themes : Press
pwhile
Display Themes is displayed to
enter the menu. Choose Sport or
Touring by pressing
Vwhile the
desired item is highlighted.
Pocket Gauges : Press
pwhile
Pocket Gauges is displayed to enter
the menu and select gauges that
can be displayed on the left or right
of the display area. If equipped,
choose oil temperature, battery
voltage, fuel range, or fuel economy.
Info Pages : Press
pwhile Info
Pages is displayed to enter the Info
Pages menu and select the items to be displayed in the Info app. See
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Base Level)
0113 or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) 0116.
Speed Warning : The Speed
Warning display allows the driver to
set a speed that they do not want to
exceed. To set the Speed Warning,
press
pwhen Speed Warning is
displayed. Press
worxto adjust
the value. Press
Vto set the speed.
Once the speed is set, this feature
can be turned off by pressing
V
while viewing this page. If the
selected speed limit is exceeded, a
pop-up warning is displayed with a
chime.
Speedometer
The speedometer shows the
vehicle's speed in either kilometers
per hour (km/h) or miles per
hour (mph).
Odometer
The odometer shows how far the
vehicle has been driven, in either
kilometers or miles.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer shows how far
the vehicle has been driven since
the trip odometer was last reset.
The trip odometer is accessed and
reset through the Driver Information
Center (DIC). See Driver
Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level) 0113 or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel) 0116.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine
speed in revolutions per
minute (rpm).
For vehicles with the Stop/Start
system, when the ignition is on, the
tachometer indicates the vehicle
status. When pointing to AUTO
STOP, the engine is off but the
vehicle is on and can move. The

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
100 Instruments and Controls
engine could auto start at any time.
When the indicator points to OFF,
the vehicle is off.
When the engine is on, the
tachometer will indicate the engine’s
revolutions per minute (rpm). The
tachometer may vary by several
hundred rpm’s, during Auto Stop
mode, when the engine is shutting
off and restarting.
Caution
If the engine is operated with the
rpm’s in the warning area at the
high end of the tachometer, the
vehicle could be damaged, and
the damage would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do not
operate the engine with the rpm’s
in the warning area.
Fuel Gauge
Uplevel Metric
Uplevel English
When the ignition is on, the fuel
gauge indicates about how much
fuel is left in the tank.
An arrow on the fuel gauge
indicates the side of the vehicle the
fuel door is on.
When the indicator nears empty, the
low fuel light comes on. There is still
a little fuel left, but the fuel tank
should be filled soon.
Here are four things that some
owners ask about. None of these
show a problem with the fuel gauge:

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
Instruments and Controls 101
.At the service station, the fuel
pump shuts off before the gauge
reads full.
. It takes a little more or less fuel
to fill up than the gauge
indicated. For example, the
gauge indicated the tank was
half full, but it actually took a
little more or less than half the
tank's capacity to fill the tank.
. The gauge moves a little while
turning a corner or speeding up.
. The gauge takes a few seconds
to stabilize after the ignition is
turned on, and goes back to
empty when the ignition is
turned off.Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge
Uplevel Metric
Uplevel English
This gauge shows the engine
coolant temperature.
If the gauge pointer moves toward
the warning area at the high end of
the gauge, the engine is too hot.
The engine coolant temperature
warning light comes on when the
engine is too hot. See Engine
Coolant Temperature Warning Light
(Uplevel Only) 0110.
This reading indicates the same
thing as the warning light. It means
that the engine coolant has
overheated. If the vehicle has been
operating under normal driving

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
102 Instruments and Controls
conditions, pull off the road, stop the
vehicle, and turn off the engine as
soon as possible. SeeEngine
Overheating 0228.
Seat Belt Reminders
Driver Seat Belt Reminder
Light
There is a driver seat belt reminder
light on the instrument cluster.
When the vehicle is started, this
light flashes and a chime may come
on to remind the driver to fasten
their seat belt. Then the light stays
on solid until the belt is buckled.
This cycle may continue several
times if the driver remains or
becomes unbuckled while the
vehicle is moving. If the driver seat belt is buckled,
neither the light nor the chime
comes on.
Passenger Seat Belt Reminder
Light
There is a passenger seat belt
reminder light near the passenger
airbag status indicator. See
Passenger Sensing System
059.
When the vehicle is started, this
light flashes and a chime may come
on to remind passengers to fasten
their seat belt. Then the light stays
on solid until the belt is buckled.
This cycle continues several times if
the passenger remains or becomes
unbuckled while the vehicle is
moving.
If the passenger seat belt is
buckled, neither the chime nor the
light comes on. The front passenger seat belt
reminder light and chime may turn
on if an object is put on the seat
such as a briefcase, handbag,
grocery bag, laptop, or other
electronic device. To turn off the
reminder light and/or chime, remove
the object from the seat or buckle
the seat belt.
Airbag Readiness Light
This light shows if there is an
electrical problem with the airbag
system. The system check includes
the airbag sensor(s), passenger
sensing system, the pretensioners,
the airbag modules, the wiring, and
the crash sensing and diagnostic
module. For more information on the
airbag system, see
Airbag System
0 53.