charging CHEVROLET MALIBU 2021 Owner's Manual

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
74 Instruments and Controls
Instruments and Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, andIndicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . 84
Voltmeter Gauge (Uplevel Cluster Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . 86
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Service Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . . 89
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Lane Keep Assist (LKA) Light . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light (Uplevel Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Security Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Door Ajar Light (Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base Level) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Driver Information Center (DIC) (Uplevel) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Engine Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
78 Instruments and Controls
supply and the indicator light turns off. To
reset the circuit, unplug the item and plug it
back in or turn the Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) off and then back on. See
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)0186. The
power restarts when equipment using 150
watts or less is plugged into the outlet and
a system fault is not detected.
The power outlet is not designed for the
following, and may not work properly if
they are plugged in:
.Equipment with high initial peak wattage,
such as compressor-driven refrigerators
and electric power tools
.Other equipment requiring an extremely
stable power supply, such as
microcomputer-controlled electric blankets
and touch sensor lamps
.Medical equipment
See High Voltage Devices and Wiring 0253.
Wireless Charging
If equipped, the vehicle has a wireless
charging pocket outside the armrest of the
center console. The system operates at 145
kHz and wirelessly charges one Qi
compatible smartphone. The power output
of the system is capable of charging at a rate up to 3 amp (15W), as requested by the
compatible smartphone. See
Radio
Frequency Statement 0328.
{Warning
Wireless charging can affect the
operation of an implanted pacemaker or
other medical devices. If you have one, it
is recommended to consult with your
doctor before using the wireless charging
system.
The vehicle must be on, in ACC/ACCESSORY,
or Retained Accessory Power (RAP) must be
active. The wireless charging feature may
not correctly indicate charging when the
vehicle is in RAP or during Bluetooth phone
calls. See Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
0 186.
The operating temperature is −20 °C (−4 °F)
to 60 °C (140 °F) for the charging system
and 0 °C (32 °F) to 35 °C (95 °F) for the
smartphone.
{Warning
Remove all objects from the charging
pocket before charging your compatible
smartphone. Objects, such as coins, keys,
rings, paper clips, or cards, between the
smartphone and the charger will become
very hot. On the rare occasion that the
charging system does not detect an
object, and the object gets wedged
between the smartphone and the
charger, remove the smartphone and
allow the object to cool before removing
it from the charging pocket, to prevent
burns.
To charge a compatible smartphone:

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Instruments and Controls 79
1. Remove all objects from the chargingpocket. The system may not charge if
there are any objects in between the
smartphone and charging pocket.
2. With the smartphone screen facing the rear of the vehicle, slowly insert the
smartphone into the charging pocket
until a green
}appears onVon the
infotainment display. This indicates that
the smartphone is properly positioned
and charging. If
}turns yellow, ensure
that the charging pocket is clear of any
objects and that the smartphone is
capable of wireless charging before
repositioning it. If
}does not
illuminate, the smartphone may need to
be repositioned. To reposition, remove
the smartphone from the charging
pocket, turn it 180 degrees, and wait
three seconds before placing/aligning the
smartphone into the charging pocket
again.
To maximize the charge rate, ensure the
smartphone is fully seated and centered
in the holder with nothing under it.
A thick smartphone case may prevent
the wireless charger from working, or may reduce the charging performance.
See your dealer for additional
information.
The smartphone may become warm
during charging. This is normal. In
warmer temperatures, the speed of
charging may be reduced.
Software Acknowledgements
Certain Wireless Charging Module product
from LG Electronics, Inc. ("LGE") contains the
open source software detailed below. Refer
to the indicated open source licenses (as are
included following this notice) for the terms
and conditions of their use.
OSS Notice Information
To obtain the source code that is contained
in this product, please visit
http://opensource.lge.com. In addition to
the source code, all referred license terms,
warranty disclaimers and copyright notices
are available for download. LG Electronics
will also provide open source code to you
on CD-ROM for a charge covering the cost of
performing such distribution (such as the
cost of media, shipping, and handling) upon
email request to [email protected]. This
offer is valid for three (3) years from the
date on which you purchased the product. Freescale-WCT library
Copyright (c) 2012-2014 Freescale
Semiconductor, Inc.. All rights reserved.
1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this
list of conditions and the following
disclaimer.
2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice,
this list of conditions and the following
disclaimer in the documentation and/or
other materials provided with the
distribution.
3. Neither the name of the copyright holder nor the names of its contributors may be
used to endorse or promote products
derived from this software without
specific prior written permission.
THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE
COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
"AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED
WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED
TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN
NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER
OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY
DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL,
EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
84 Instruments and Controls
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, speeding up or braking.
.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
English Base Level Shown, Metric Similar
English Uplevel Shown, Metric Similar
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) 091.
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 conditions, pull off the road, stop the
vehicle, and turn off the engine as soon as
possible. See
Engine Overheating 0241.
Voltmeter Gauge (Uplevel
Cluster Only)
When the ignition is on, this gauge indicates
the battery voltage.
When the engine is running, this gauge
shows the condition of the charging system.
The gauge can transition from a higher to
lower or a lower to higher reading. This is
normal. If the vehicle is operating outside
the normal operating range, the charging
system light comes on. See Charging System
Light 086.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Instruments and Controls 85
Readings outside the normal operating
range can also occur when a large number
of electrical accessories are operating in the
vehicle and the engine is left idling for an
extended period. This condition is normal
since the charging system is not able to
provide full power at engine idle. As engine
speeds are increased, this condition should
correct itself as higher engine speeds allow
the charging system to create maximum
power.
The vehicle can only be driven for a short
time with the readings outside the normal
operating range. If the vehicle must be
driven, turn off all accessories, such as the
radio and air conditioner, and unplug all
chargers and accessories.
Readings outside the normal operating
range indicate a possible problem in the
electrical system. Have the vehicle serviced
as soon as possible.
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.
Front Passenger Seat Belt Reminder
Light
The vehicle may have a front passenger seat
belt reminder light near the passenger
airbag status indicator. SeePassenger
Sensing System 050.
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 front passenger remains or becomes
unbuckled while the vehicle is moving.
If the front passenger seat belt is buckled,
neither the chime nor the light comes on.
The front passenger seat belt reminder light
and chime may come 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 045.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
86 Instruments and Controls
The airbag readiness light comes on for
several seconds when the vehicle is started.
If the light does not come on then, have it
fixed immediately.
{Warning
If the airbag readiness light stays on
after the vehicle is started or comes on
while driving, it means the airbag system
might not be working properly. The
airbags in the vehicle might not inflate in
a crash, or they could even inflate
without a crash. To help avoid injury,
have the vehicle serviced right away.
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
The vehicle has a passenger sensing system.
SeePassenger Sensing System 050 for
important safety information. The overhead
console has a passenger airbag status
indicator.
When the vehicle is started, the passenger
airbag status indicator will light ON and OFF,
and the symbols for on and off, for several
seconds as a system check. Then, after
several more seconds, the status indicator
will light either ON or OFF, and either the
on or off symbol, to let you know the
status of the front outboard passenger
frontal airbag and knee airbag.
If the word ON, and the on symbol, are lit
on the passenger airbag status indicator, it
means that the front outboard passenger
frontal airbag and knee airbag are allowed
to inflate.
If the word OFF, and the off symbol, are lit
on the airbag status indicator, it means that
the passenger sensing system has turned off
the front outboard passenger frontal airbag
and knee airbag. If, after several seconds, both status
indicator lights remain on, or if there are no
lights at all, there may be a problem with
the lights or the passenger sensing system.
See your dealer for service.{Warning
If the airbag readiness light ever comes
on and stays on, it means that
something may be wrong with the airbag
system. To help avoid injury to yourself
or others, have the vehicle serviced right
away. See
Airbag Readiness Light 085
for more information, including important
safety information.
Charging System Light
The charging system light comes on briefly
when the ignition is turned on, but the
engine is not running, as a check to show
the light is working. It should go out when
the engine is started.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Instruments and Controls 87
If the light stays on, or comes on while
driving, there may be a problem with the
electrical charging system. Have it checked
by your dealer. Driving while this light is on
could drain the battery.
When this light comes on, or is flashing, the
Driver Information Center (DIC) also displays
a message.
If a short distance must be driven with the
light on, be sure to turn off all accessories,
such as the radio and air conditioner. Find a
safe place to stop the vehicle.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)
This light is part of the vehicle’s emission
control on-board diagnostic system. If this
light is on while the engine is running, a
malfunction has been detected and the
vehicle may require service. The light should
come on to show that it is working when
the ignition is in Service Mode. SeeIgnition
Positions 0182.
Malfunctions are often indicated by the
system before any problem is noticeable.
Being aware of the light and seeking service
promptly when it comes on may prevent
damage.
Caution
If the vehicle is driven continually with
this light on, the emission control system
may not work as well, the fuel economy
may be lower, and the vehicle may not
run smoothly. This could lead to costly
repairs that might not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Caution
Modifications to the engine, transmission,
exhaust, intake, or fuel system, or the
use of replacement tires that do not
meet the original tire specifications, can
cause this light to come on. This could
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
lead to costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. This could also affect
the vehicle’s ability to pass an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test. See
Accessories and Modifications 0229.
If the light is flashing : A malfunction has
been detected that could damage the
emission control system and increase vehicle
emissions. Diagnosis and service may be
required.
To help prevent damage, reduce vehicle
speed and avoid hard accelerations and
uphill grades. If towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled as soon as
possible.
If the light continues to flash, find a safe
place to park. Turn the vehicle off and wait
at least 10 seconds before restarting the
engine. If the light is still flashing, follow
the previous guidelines and see your dealer
for service as soon as possible.
If the light is on steady : A malfunction has
been detected. Diagnosis and service may be
required.
Check the following:

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
96 Instruments and Controls
Tire Pressure :Displays a vehicle with the
approximate pressures of all four tires. Tire
pressure is displayed in either
kilopascal (kPa) or in pounds per square
inch (psi). See Tire Pressure Monitor System
0 268 and
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation 0269.
Battery Voltage : Displays the current
battery voltage, if equipped. Battery voltage
changes are normal while driving. See
Charging System Light 086. If there is a
problem with the battery charging system,
the DIC will display a message.
Coolant Temperature : Shows the engine
coolant temperature in either degrees
Celsius (°C) or degrees Fahrenheit (°F).
Speed Warning : This display is used to set
the vehicle speed at which the speed
warning chime sounds and the alert is
displayed. The speed can be set by pressing
Vwhile the speed warning display is
showing.
Units : Move
worxto change between
Metric or US when the Unit display is active.
Press
Vto confirm the setting. This will
change the displays on the DIC to the type
of measurements you select.
ECO Drive Assist Menu (ECO) Items
Useworxto scroll through the menu
items. Not all items are available on every
vehicle.
Best Average Fuel Economy : The bottom
displays the best average fuel economy
(AFE) that is achieved for a selected
distance. The top displays a running average
of fuel economy for the most recently
traveled selected distance. The center bar
graph displays the instantaneous fuel
economy. Quickly press
Vto change the
settings for the distance options.
When viewing best AFE, a several second
press and hold of
Vwill reset the best
value. The best value will show “- - -“until
the selected distance has been traveled.
The display provides feedback on how
current driving behavior in the bar graph
affects the running average in the top
display and how well recent driving
compares to the best that has been
achieved.
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel)
The DIC displays are shown in the center of
the instrument cluster in the Info app. See
Instrument Cluster 080. The displays show
the status of many vehicle systems.
worx: Press to move up or down in a
list, or on the main view press to cycle
through the different Info app pages.
oorp: Pressoto open application
menus on the left. Press
pto open
interaction menus on the right.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
98 Instruments and Controls
It cannot be reset accurately until the next
oil change. To reset, seeEngine Oil Life
System 0236.
Air Filter Life : Shows an estimate of the
engine air filter’s remaining useful life and
the state of the system. Engine Air Filter Life
95% means 95% of the current air filter life
remains. Messages will display based on the
engine air filter life and the state of the
system. When the REPLACE AT NEXT OIL
CHANGE message displays, the engine air
filter should be replaced at the time of the
next oil change. When the REPLACE NOW
message displays, the engine air filter
should be replaced as soon as possible.
The Air Filter Life display must be reset after
the engine air filter replacement. To reset,
see Engine Air Filter Life System 0237.
Tire Pressure : Shows the approximate
pressures of all four tires. Tire pressure is
displayed in either kilopascal (kPa) or in
pounds per square inch (psi). If the pressure
is low, the value for that tire is shown in
amber. See Tire Pressure Monitor System
0 268 and
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation 0269.
Average Vehicle Speed : Displays the
average vehicle speed of the vehicle in
kilometers per hour (km/h) or miles per hour (mph). This average is based on the
various vehicle speeds recorded since the
last reset. Reset the average speed by
pressing
Vwhen it is displayed.
Fuel Economy : The center displays the
approximate instantaneous fuel economy as
a number and bar graph. Displayed above
the bar graph is a running average of fuel
economy for the most recently traveled
selected distance. Displayed below the bar
graph is the best average fuel economy that
has been achieved for the selected distance.
The selected distance is displayed at the top
of the page as “last xxx mi/km.”
Press
pto select the distance or reset best
value. Use
wandxto choose the
distance and press
V. Presswandxto
select “Reset Best Score.” Press
Vto reset
the best average fuel economy. After reset,
the best value displays “-,-”until the
selected distance has been traveled.
The display provides information on how
current driving behavior affects the running
average and how well recent driving
compares to the best that has been
achieved for the selected distance. Timer :
This display can be used as a timer.
To start the timer, press
Vwhile this
display is active. The display will show the
amount of time that has passed since the
timer was last reset. To stop the timer,
press
Vbriefly while this display is active
and the timer is running. To reset the timer
to zero, press and hold
Vwhile this display
is active, or press
pand select reset.
Speed Limit : Shows the current speed limit
on vehicles with the navigation system. The
information for this page comes from a
roadway database.
Follow Distance : When Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC) is not engaged, the current
follow time to the vehicle ahead is displayed
as a time value on this page. When ACC has
been engaged, the display switches to the
gap setting page. This page shows the
current gap setting along with the vehicle
ahead indicator.
Battery Voltage : Displays the current
battery voltage, if equipped. Battery voltage
changes are normal while driving. See
Charging System Light 086. If there is a
problem with the battery charging system,
the DIC will display a message.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
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.