CHEVROLET MALIBU 2021 Owner's Manual

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
100 Instruments and Controls
Vehicle Speed Messages
SPEED LIMITED TO XXX KM/H (MPH)
This message shows that the vehicle speed
has been limited to the speed displayed. The
limited speed is a protection for various
propulsion and vehicle systems, such as
lubrication, thermal, brakes, suspension,
Teen Driver if equipped, or tires.
Vehicle Personalization
The following are all possible vehicle
personalization features. Depending on the
vehicle, some may not be available.
For System, Apps, and Personal features and
functions, seeSettings0147.
To access the vehicle personalization menu: 1. Touch the Settings icon on the Home Page of the infotainment display.
2. Touch Vehicle to display a list of available options.
3. Touch to select the desired feature setting.
4. Touch
9orRto turn a feature off or on.
5. Touch
zto go to the top level of the
Settings menu. The menu may contain the following:
Rear Seat Reminder
This allows for a chime and a message when
the rear door has been opened before or
during operation of the vehicle.
Touch Off or On.
Buckle to Drive
This feature can prevent shifting out of Park
when the driver, and if applicable the front
passenger, seat belt is not buckled. See
Buckle To Drive
039.
Touch Off or On.
Climate and Air Quality
Touch and the following may display:
.Auto Fan Speed
.Auto Heated Seats
.Auto Defog
.Auto Rear Defog
Auto Fan Speed
This feature will set the auto fan speed.
Touch Low, Medium, or High. Auto Heated Seats
When enabled, this feature will
automatically activate the heated seats at
the level required by the interior
temperature. The auto heated seats can be
turned off by using the heated seat buttons
on the center stack. See
Heated and
Ventilated Front Seats 034.
Touch Off or On.
Auto Defog
When turned on and high humidity is
detected, the climate control system may
adjust to outside air supply and turn on the
air conditioner or the heater. The fan speed
may slightly increase to help prevent
fogging. When high humidity is no longer
detected, the system will return to its prior
operation.
Touch Off or On.
Auto Rear Defog
When on, this feature turns on the rear
defogger at vehicle start when the interior
temperature is cold and fog is likely. The
auto rear defog function can be disabled by
pressing
K. When off, the feature can be

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Instruments and Controls 101
turned on by pressingK. See“Rear
Window Defogger” underDual Automatic
Climate Control System 0166.
Touch Off or On.
Collision/Detection Systems
Touch and the following may display:
.Forward Collision System
.Front Pedestrian Detection
.Adaptive Cruise Go Notifier
.Lane Change Alert
.Rear Camera Park Assist Symbols
.Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Forward Collision System
This setting can alert of a potential crash
with a detected vehicle ahead and can apply
brakes to help reduce a collision’s severity.
Touch Off, Alert, or Alert and Brake.
Front Pedestrian Detection
This feature may help avoid or reduce the
harm caused by front-end crashes with
nearby pedestrians.
See Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System
0 212.
Touch Off, Alert, or Alert and Brake. Adaptive Cruise Go Notifier
This feature will give a reminder that
Adaptive Cruise Control provides when it has
brought the vehicle to a complete stop
behind another stopping vehicle, and then
that vehicle drives on. See
Adaptive Cruise
Control (Advanced) 0197.
Touch Off or On.
Lane Change Alert
This allows the Lane Change Alert feature to
be turned on or off. See Lane Change Alert
(LCA) 0214.
When Lane Change Alert is disabled, Side
Blind Zone Alert is also disabled.
Touch Off or On.
Rear Camera Park Assist Symbols
This setting enables the Rear Camera Park
Assist Symbols. See Assistance Systems for
Parking or Backing 0205.
Touch Off or On.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
This allows the Rear Cross Traffic Alert
feature to be turned on or off. See “Rear
Cross Traffic Alert” inAssistance Systems for
Parking or Backing 0205. Touch Off or On.
Comfort and Convenience
Touch and the following may display:
.Chime Volume
.Reverse Tilt Mirror
Chime Volume
This allows the selection of the chime
volume level.
Touch the controls on the infotainment
display to adjust the volume.
Reverse Tilt Mirror
When on, the driver, passenger, or both
driver and passenger outside mirrors will tilt
downward when the vehicle is shifted into
R (Reverse) to improve visibility of the
ground near the rear wheels. They may
move from their tilted position when the
vehicle is shifted out of R (Reverse) or
turned off. See Reverse Tilt Mirrors 022.
Touch Off, On - Driver and Passenger, On -
Driver, or On - Passenger.
Lighting
Touch and the following may display:
.Vehicle Locator Lights
.Exit Lighting

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
102 Instruments and Controls
Vehicle Locator Lights
This setting flashes the vehicle’s headlamps
when
Kis pressed on the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter.
Touch Off or On.
Exit Lighting
This setting specifies how long the
headlamps stay on after the vehicle is
turned off and exited.
Touch Off, 30 Seconds, 60 Seconds,
or 120 Seconds.
Power Door Locks
Touch and the following may display:
.Open Door Anti Lock Out
.Auto Door Unlock
.Delayed Door Lock
Open Door Anti Lock Out
This setting prevents the driver door from
locking when the door is open. If this
setting is on, the Delayed Door Lock menu
will not be available.
Touch Off or On. Auto Door Unlock
This allows selection of which of the doors
will automatically unlock when the vehicle is
shifted into P (Park).
Touch Off, All Doors, or Driver Door.
Delayed Door Lock
When on, this feature will delay the locking
of the doors. To override the delay, press
the power door lock switch on the door.
Touch Off or On.
Remote Lock, Unlock, and Start
Touch and the following may display:
.Remote Unlock Light Feedback
.Remote Lock Feedback
.Remote Door Unlock
.Remote Start Auto Cool Seats
.Remote Start Auto Heat Seats
.Remote Window Operation
.Passive Door Unlock
.Passive Door Lock
.Remote Left in Vehicle Alert
Remote Unlock Light Feedback
This setting flashes the exterior lamps when
the vehicle is unlocked with the RKE
transmitter.
Touch Off or Flash Lights.
Remote Lock Feedback
This setting specifies how the vehicle
responds when the vehicle is locked with
the RKE transmitter.
Touch Off, Lights and Horn, Lights Only,
or Horn Only.
Remote Door Unlock
This setting specifies whether all doors,
or just the driver door, unlock when pressing
Kon the RKE transmitter.
Touch All Doors or Driver Door.
Remote Start Auto Cool Seats
If equipped and turned on, this feature will
turn the ventilated seats on when using
remote start on warm days.
Touch Off, On-Driver and Passenger,
or On-Driver.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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Instruments and Controls 103
Remote Start Auto Heat Seats
This setting automatically turns on the
heated seats when using the remote start
function on cold days. SeeHeated and
Ventilated Front Seats 034 and
Remote Vehicle Start 013.
Touch Off, On-Driver and Passenger,
or On-Driver.
Remote Window Operation
This allows the windows to be opened when
pressing and holding
Kon the RKE
transmitter. See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation 07.
Touch Off or On.
Passive Door Unlock
This setting specifies which doors unlock
when using the button on the driver door
handle to unlock the vehicle.
Touch Off, All Doors, or Driver Door Only.
Passive Door Lock
This setting specifies if the vehicle will
automatically lock, or lock and provide an
alert after all the doors are closed, and you
walk away from the vehicle with the RKE
transmitter. See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation 07. Touch Off, On with Horn Chirp, or On.
Remote Left in Vehicle Alert
This feature sounds an alert when the RKE
transmitter is left in the vehicle. This menu
also enables Remote No Longer in Vehicle
Alert.
Touch Off or On.
Seating Position
Touch and the following may display:
.Seat Entry Memory
.Seat Exit Memory
Seat Entry Memory
This feature automatically recalls the
previously stored 1 or 2 button positions
when the ignition is changed from off to on
or ACC/ACCESSORY. See Memory Seats032.
Touch Off or On.
Seat Exit Memory
This feature automatically recalls the
previously stored exit button positions when
the ignition is changed from on or ACC/
ACCESSORY to off if the driver door is open
or opened. See Memory Seats032.
Touch Off or On.
Teen Driver
See Teen Driver 0153.
Valet Mode
This will lock the infotainment system and
steering wheel controls. It may also limit
access to vehicle storage locations,
if equipped.
To enable valet mode:
1. Enter a four-digit code on the keypad.
2. Select Enter to go to the confirmation screen.
3. Re-enter the four-digit code.
Touch Lock or Unlock to lock or unlock the
system. Touch Back to go back to the
previous menu.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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104 Lighting
Lighting
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . . . . . . . . 105
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer . . . 105
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . 106
Automatic Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . 106
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . 107
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel IlluminationControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Courtesy Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Battery Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Battery Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . 109
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls
The exterior lamp control is on the
instrument panel to the left of the steering
column.
O: Turns the exterior lamps off and
deactivates the AUTO mode. Turn to
O
again to reactivate the AUTO mode.
In Canada, the headlamps will automatically
reactivate when the vehicle is shifted out of
P (Park).
AUTO : Turns the exterior lamps on and off
automatically depending on outside lighting.
;: Turns on the parking lamps including
all lamps, except the headlamps.
5: Turns on the headlamps together with
the parking lamps and instrument panel
lights.
IntelliBeam System
If equipped, this system turns the vehicle's
high-beam headlamps on and off according
to surrounding traffic conditions.
The system turns the high-beam headlamps
on when it is dark enough and there is no
other traffic present.
This light
bcomes on in the instrument
cluster when the IntelliBeam system is
enabled.
Turning On and Enabling IntelliBeam

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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Lighting 105
To enable the IntelliBeam system, press
bon the turn signal lever when the
exterior lamp control is in the AUTO or
5
position.
Driving with IntelliBeam
The system only activates the high beams
when driving over 40 km/h (25 mph).
The blue high-beam on light appears on the
instrument cluster when the high beams
are on.
There is a sensor near the top center of the
windshield that automatically controls the
system. Keep this area of the windshield
clear of debris to allow for best system
performance.
The high-beam headlamps remain on, under
the automatic control, until one of the
following situations occurs:
.The system detects an approaching
vehicle's headlamps.
.The system detects a preceding vehicle's
taillamps.
.The outside light is bright enough that
high-beam headlamps are not required.
.The vehicle's speed drops below 20 km/h
(12 mph).
.The IntelliBeam system is disabled by the
button on the turn signal lever. If this
happens, press
bon the turn signal
lever when the exterior lamp control is in
the AUTO or
5position. The instrument
cluster light will come on to indicate the
IntelliBeam system is reactivated.
The high beams may not turn off
automatically if the system cannot detect
another vehicle's lamps because of any of
the following:
.The other vehicle's lamps are missing,
damaged, obstructed from view,
or otherwise undetected.
.The other vehicle's lamps are covered
with dirt, snow, and/or road spray.
.The other vehicle's lamps cannot be
detected due to dense exhaust, smoke,
fog, snow, road spray, mist, or other
airborne obstructions.
.The vehicle's windshield is dirty, cracked,
or obstructed by something that blocks
the view of the light sensor.
.The vehicle is loaded such that the front
end points upward, causing the light
sensor to aim high and not detect
headlamps and taillamps.
.Driving on winding or hilly roads. The IntelliBeam system may need to be
disabled if any of the above conditions exist.
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder
A warning chime sounds if the driver door is
opened while the ignition is off and the
exterior lamps are on.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
3:
Push the turn signal lever away from
you and release, to turn the high beams on.
To return to low beams, push the lever
again or pull it toward you and release.
This indicator light turns on in the
instrument cluster when the high-beam
headlamps are on.
Flash-to-Pass
To flash the high beams, pull the turn signal
lever toward you, and release.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
106 Lighting
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
DRL can make it easier for others to see the
front of your vehicle during the day. Fully
functional DRL are required on all vehicles
first sold in Canada.
The DRL system comes on in daylight when
the following conditions are met:
.The ignition is on.
.The exterior lamp control is in AUTO,
if equipped.
.The light sensor determines it is daytime.
.The vehicle is not in P (Park).
When the DRL are on, the taillamps,
sidemarker lamps, instrument panel lights,
and other lamps will not be on.
The DRLs turn off if the Exterior Lamp
control is placed out of AUTO. For vehicles
first sold in Canada, the DRL can only be
turned off when the vehicle is parked.
Automatic Headlamp System
The headlamps come on automatically when
the exterior lamp control is set to AUTO and
it is dark enough outside.
There is a light sensor on top of the
instrument panel. Do not cover the sensor,
otherwise the headlamps will come on when
they are not needed.
The system may also turn on the headlamps
when driving through a parking garage or
tunnel.
When it is bright enough outside, the
headlamps will turn off or may change to
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).
The automatic headlamp system turns off
when the exterior lamp control is turned to
Oor the ignition is off.
Lights On with Wipers
If the windshield wipers are activated in
daylight with the engine on, and the
exterior lamp control is in AUTO, the
headlamps, parking lamps, and other
exterior lamps come on. The transition time
for the lamps coming on varies based on
wiper speed. When the wipers are not
operating, these lamps turn off. Move the
exterior lamp control to
Oor;to disable
this feature.
Hazard Warning Flashers
|: Press this button to make the front
and rear turn signal lamps flash on and off.
Press again to turn the flashers off.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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Lighting 107
The hazard warning flashers turn on
automatically if the airbags deploy.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
Move the lever all the way up or down to
signal a turn.
An arrow on the instrument cluster flashes
in the direction of the turn or lane change.
Raise or lower the lever until the arrow
starts to flash to signal a lane change. Hold
it there until the lane change is completed.
If the lever is briefly pressed and released,
the turn signal flashes three times.
The turn and lane-change signal can be
turned off manually by moving the lever
back to its original position.
If after signaling a turn or lane change, the
arrow flashes rapidly or does not come on, a
signal bulb may be burned out.Replace any burned out bulbs. If a bulb is
not burned out, check the fuse. See
Fuses
and Circuit Breakers 0253.
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel Illumination
Control
This feature adjusts the brightness of all
illuminated controls. The instrument panel
illumination control is next to the exterior
lamp control.
Push the knob in all the way until it extends
out and then turn the knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to brighten or dim the
lights. Push the knob back in when finished.
The knob is functional at night, or when the
headlamps or parking lamps are ON.
Courtesy Lamps
The courtesy lamps come on when any door
is opened unless the dome lamp override is
activated. To deactivate the dome lamp
override, press
jOFF and the indicator
light on the button will turn off.
Dome Lamps
Dome Lamp Controls

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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108 Lighting
Center Dome Lamp
The dome lamp controls are in the overhead
console.
To operate, press the following buttons:
+ ON/OFF : Press to turn the dome lamps
on manually.
jOFF : Press to turn off the dome
lamps when a door is open. An indicator
light on the button will turn on when the
dome lamp override is activated. Press
j
OFF again to deactivate this feature and the
indicator light will turn off. The dome lamps
will come on when doors are opened.
Reading Lamps
There may be front and rear reading lamps.
If equipped, the front reading lamps are in
the overhead console.
Press the lamp lenses to turn the reading
lamps on or off.
If equipped, the rear reading lamps are in
the headliner.
Press the button near each lamp to turn
reading lamps on or off.
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting
Some exterior lamps and most of the
interior lamps turn on briefly at night or in
areas with limited lighting when the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter
Kbutton is
pressed. See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation 07. After about
30 seconds the exterior lamps turn off, then
the dome lamps and remaining interior

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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Lighting 109
lamps dim to off. Entry lighting can be
disabled manually by turning the ignition on
or to ACC/ACCESSORY, or by pressing
Qon
the RKE transmitter.
This feature can be changed. See Vehicle
Personalization 0100.
Exit Lighting
Some exterior lamps and interior lights
come on at night, or in areas with limited
lighting, when the driver door is opened
after the ignition is turned off. The dome
lamp comes on after the ignition is turned
off. The exterior lamps and dome lamp
remain on for a set amount of time, then
automatically turn off.
The exterior lamps turn off immediately by
turning the exterior lamp control off.
This feature can be changed. See Vehicle
Personalization 0100.
Battery Load Management
The vehicle has Electric Power Management
(EPM) that estimates the battery's
temperature and state of charge. It then
adjusts the voltage for best performance
and extended life of the battery. When the battery's state of charge is low,
the voltage is raised slightly to quickly bring
the charge back up. When the state of
charge is high, the voltage is lowered
slightly to prevent overcharging. If the
vehicle has a voltmeter gauge or a voltage
display on the Driver Information Center
(DIC), you may see the voltage move up or
down. This is normal. If there is a problem,
an alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at idle if the
electrical loads are very high. This is true for
all vehicles. This is because the generator
(alternator) may not be spinning fast
enough at idle to produce all of the power
needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of
the following are on, such as: headlamps,
high beams, rear window defogger, climate
control fan at high speed, heated seats,
engine cooling fans, trailer loads, and loads
plugged into accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of
the battery. It does this by balancing the
generator's output and the vehicle's
electrical needs. It can increase engine idle
speed to generate more power whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce the power
demands of some accessories.Normally, these actions occur in steps or
levels, without being noticeable. In rare
cases at the highest levels of corrective
action, this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a DIC message might be
displayed and it is recommended that the
driver reduce the electrical loads as much as
possible.
Battery Power Protection
The battery saver feature is designed to
protect the vehicle's battery.
If some interior lamps are left on and the
ignition is turned off, the battery rundown
protection system automatically turns the
lamp off after some time.
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver
The exterior lamps turn off about 10 minutes
after the ignition is turned off, if the parking
lamps or headlamps have been manually
left on. This protects against draining the
battery. To restart the 10-minute timer, turn
the exterior lamp control to the off position
and then back to the parking lamp or
headlamp position.
To keep the lamps on for more than
10 minutes, the ignition must be on or in
ACC/ACCESSORY.