open hood CHEVROLET MALIBU 2021 Owner's Manual

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
14 Keys, Doors, and Windows
When the engine starts, the parking lamps
will turn on and remain on as long as the
engine is running. The doors will be locked
and the climate control system may
come on.
The engine will continue to run for
15 minutes. After 30 seconds, repeat the
steps if a 15-minute extension is desired.
Remote start can be extended only once.
Start the vehicle before driving.
Extending Engine Run Time
The engine run time can be extended by
another 15 minutes, if during the first
15 minutes Steps 1 and 2 are repeated while
the engine is still running. An extension can
be requested 30 seconds after starting.
When the remote start is extended, the
second 15-minute period is added on to the
first 15 minutes for a total of 30 minutes.
The remote start can only be extended once.
A maximum of two remote starts, or a
single start with an extension, is allowed
between ignition cycles.
The vehicle's ignition must be turned on and
then back off before the remote start
procedure can be used again.Canceling a Remote Start
To cancel a remote start, do one of the
following:
.Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle
and press and hold
/until the parking
lamps turn off.
.Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
.Turn the vehicle on and then off.
Conditions in Which Remote Start Will
Not Work
The remote vehicle start feature will not
operate if:
.A transmitter is in the vehicle.
.The hood is not closed.
.The vehicle is on.
.The hazard warning flashers are on.
.The malfunction indicator lamp is on.
.The engine coolant temperature is
too high.
.The oil pressure is low.
.Two remote vehicle starts, or a single
remote start with an extension, have
already been used.
.The vehicle is not in P (Park).
Door Locks
{Warning
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
.Passengers, especially children, can
easily open the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. The doors can be
unlocked and opened while the vehicle
is moving. The chance of being thrown
out of the vehicle in a crash is
increased if the doors are not locked.
So, all passengers should wear seat
belts properly and the doors should be
locked whenever the vehicle is driven.
.Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out.
A child can be overcome by extreme
heat and can suffer permanent injuries
or even death from heat stroke.
Always lock the vehicle whenever
leaving it.
.Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down
or stop the vehicle. Locking the doors
can help prevent this from happening.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Keys, Doors, and Windows 19
Emergency Trunk Release Handle
Caution
Do not use the emergency trunk release
handle as a tie-down or anchor point
when securing items in the trunk as it
could damage the handle.
There is a glow-in-the-dark emergency trunk
release handle on the trunk lid. This handle
glows following exposure to light. Pull the
release handle to open the trunk from the
inside.
After pulling the emergency trunk release
handle, push the handle back into the bezel.
Vehicle Security
This vehicle has theft-deterrent features;
however, they do not make the vehicle
impossible to steal.
Vehicle Alarm System
This vehicle has an anti-theft alarm system.
The indicator light, on the instrument panel
near the windshield, indicates the status of
the system:
Off : Alarm system is disarmed.
On Solid : Vehicle is secured during the
delay to arm the system.
Fast Flash : Vehicle is unsecured. A door, the
hood, or the trunk is open.
Slow Flash : Alarm system is armed.
Arming the Alarm System
1. Close the trunk and the hood. Turn off
the vehicle.
2. Lock the vehicle in one of three ways:
.Use the RKE transmitter.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
20 Keys, Doors, and Windows
.Use the Keyless Access system,
if equipped.
.With a door open, press the
inside
Q.
3. After 30 seconds the alarm system will arm, and the indicator light will begin to
slowly flash indicating the alarm system
is operating. Pressing
Qon the RKE
transmitter a second time will bypass
the 30-second delay and immediately
arm the alarm system.
The vehicle alarm system will not arm if the
doors are locked with the key.
If the driver door is opened without first
unlocking with the RKE transmitter, the horn
will chirp and the lights will flash to indicate
pre-alarm. If the vehicle is not started,
or the door is not unlocked by pressing
K
on the RKE transmitter during the 10-second
pre-alarm, the alarm will be activated.
If a door, the hood, or the trunk is opened
without first disarming the system, the turn
signals will flash and the horn will sound for
about 30 seconds. The alarm system will
then re-arm to monitor for the next
unauthorized event.
Disarming the Alarm System
Do one of the following to disarm the alarm
system or turn off the alarm if it has been
activated:
.PressKon the RKE transmitter.
.Unlock the vehicle using the Keyless
Access system, if equipped.
.Start the vehicle.
To avoid setting off the alarm by accident:
.Lock the vehicle after all occupants have
left the vehicle and all doors are closed.
.Always unlock a door with the RKE
transmitter or use the Keyless Access
system, if equipped.
Unlocking the driver door with the key will
not disarm the system or turn off the alarm.
How to Detect a Tamper Condition
IfKis pressed on the RKE transmitter and
the horn chirps and the lights flash three
times, an alarm occurred previously while
the alarm system was armed.
If the alarm has been activated, a message
will appear on the Driver Information
Center (DIC).
Immobilizer
See Radio Frequency Statement 0328.
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 transmitter leaves the vehicle.
The immobilization system is disarmed
when the ignition button is pushed in and a
valid transmitter is in the vehicle.
The security light on the instrument cluster
comes on when there is a problem with
arming or disarming the theft-deterrent
system.
The system has one or more transmitters
matched to an immobilizer control unit in
the vehicle. Only a correctly matched

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
76 Instruments and Controls
INT :Move the lever up to INT for
intermittent wipes, then turn the band up
for more frequent wipes or down for less
frequent wipes.
OFF : Use to turn the wipers off.
1X : For a single wipe, briefly move the
lever down. For several wipes, hold the
lever down.
Clear snow and ice from the wiper blades
and windshield before using them. If frozen
to the windshield, carefully loosen or thaw
them. Damaged blades should be replaced.
See Wiper Blade Replacement 0247. Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper
motor. If the wiper motor overheats, the
windshield wipers will stop until the motor
cools and the wiper control is turned off.
See
Electrical System Overload 0253.
{Warning
In freezing weather, do not use the
washer until the windshield is warmed.
Otherwise the washer fluid can form ice
on the windshield, blocking your vision.
{Warning
Before driving the vehicle, always clear
snow and ice from the hood, windshield,
roof, and rear of the vehicle, including all
lamps and windows. Reduced visibility
from snow and ice buildup could lead to
a crash.
Wiper Parking
If the ignition is turned off while the wipers
are on LO, HI, or INT, they will
immediately stop. If the windshield wiper lever is then moved
to OFF before the driver door is opened or
within 10 minutes, the wipers will restart
and move to the base of the windshield.
If the ignition is turned off while the wipers
are performing wipes due to windshield
washing, the wipers continue to run until
they reach the base of the windshield.
f:
Pull the windshield wiper lever
toward you to spray windshield washer fluid
and activate the wipers. The wipers will
continue until the lever is released or the
maximum wash time is reached. When the
lever is released, additional wipes may occur
depending on how long the windshield
washer had been activated. See Washer
Fluid 0242 for information on filling the
windshield washer fluid reservoir.
Clock
Set the time and date using the
infotainment system. See "Time / Date"
under Settings 0147.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
170 Climate Controls
.Clear snow off the hood to improve
visibility and help decrease moisture
drawn into the vehicle, which may
improve long term system performance.
.Use of non-GM approved hood deflectors
can adversely affect the performance of
the system.
.Do not attach any devices to the air vent
slats; this restricts airflow and may cause
damage to the air vents.
Maintenance
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
The filter removes dust, pollen, and other
airborne irritants from outside air that is
pulled into the vehicle.
The filter should be replaced as part of
routine scheduled maintenance; see
Maintenance Schedule0304. To find out
what type of filter to use, see Maintenance
Replacement Parts 0313.
1. Open the glove box completely.
2. Disconnect the glove box door dampener arm from the glove box door assembly.
3. Squeeze both sides of the glove box door to open beyond the stops.4. Release the retainer clips holding theservice door. Open the service door and
remove the old filter.
5. Install the new air filter.
6. Close the service door and retainer clips.
7. Reverse the steps to reinstall the glove box.
See your dealer if additional assistance is
needed.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Driving and Operating 185
.The vehicle battery has recently been
disconnected.
.Minimum vehicle speed has not been
reached since the last Auto Stop.
.The accelerator pedal is pressed.
.The engine or transmission is not at the
required operating temperature.
.The outside temperature is not in the
required operating range.
.The vehicle transmission is shifted out of
D (Drive) to any gear other than P (Park).
.Tow/Haul Mode or other driver modes
have been selected.
.The vehicle is on a steep hill or grade.
.The driver door has been opened or driver
seat belt has been unbuckled.
.The hood has been opened.
.The Auto Stop has reached the maximum
allowed time.Auto Stop Disable Switch
The automatic engine Stop/Start feature can
be disabled and enabled by pressing the
switch with the
hsymbol. Auto Stop is
enabled each time you start the vehicle.
When the indicator light is illuminated, the
system is enabled.
Engine Heater
The engine heater, if available, can help in
cold weather conditions at or below −18 °
C (0 °F) for easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up. Plug in
the engine heater at least four hours before
starting the vehicle. An internal thermostat in the plug end of the cord will prevent
engine heater operation at temperatures
above
−18 °C (0 °F).
To Use the Engine Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the
electrical cord.
The electrical cord is on the passenger
side of the engine compartment,
between the fender and the air cleaner.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
Vehicle Care 229
Accessories and Modifications
Adding non-dealer accessories or making
modifications to the vehicle can affect
vehicle performance and safety, including
such things as airbags, braking, stability,
ride and handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and electronic
systems like antilock brakes, traction control,
and stability control. These accessories or
modifications could even cause malfunction
or damage not covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Damage to suspension components caused
by modifying vehicle height outside of
factory settings will not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components resulting
from modifications or the installation or use
of non-GM certified parts, including control
module or software modifications, is not
covered under the terms of the vehicle
warranty and may affect remaining
warranty coverage for affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to complement
and function with other systems on the
vehicle. See your dealer to accessorize the
vehicle using genuine GM Accessories
installed by a dealer technician.Also, see
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 053.
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work
{Warning
It can be dangerous to work on your
vehicle if you do not have the proper
knowledge, service manual, tools,
or parts. Always follow owner’s manual
procedures and consult the service
manual for your vehicle before doing any
service work.
If doing some of your own service work, use
the proper service manual. It tells you much
more about how to service the vehicle than
this manual can. To order the proper service
manual, see Publication Ordering
Information 0327.
This vehicle has an airbag system. Before
attempting to do your own service work,
see Servicing the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
0 53. If equipped with remote vehicle start, open
the hood before performing any service
work to prevent remote starting the vehicle
accidentally. See
Remote Vehicle Start 013.
Keep a record with all parts receipts and list
the mileage and the date of any service
work performed. See Maintenance Records
0 315.Caution
Even small amounts of contamination can
cause damage to vehicle systems. Do not
allow contaminants to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Hood
{Warning
For vehicles with auto engine stop/start,
turn the vehicle off before opening the
hood. If the vehicle is on, the engine will
start when the hood is opened. You or
others could be injured.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
230 Vehicle Care
{Warning
Components under the hood can get hot
from running the engine. To help avoid
the risk of burning unprotected skin,
never touch these components until they
have cooled, and always use a glove or
towel to avoid direct skin contact.
Clear any snow from the hood before
opening.
To open the hood: 1. Pull the hood release lever with the
isymbol. It is on the lower left side
of the instrument panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle and locate the secondary release lever under the
front center of the hood. Push the
secondary hood release lever to the right
to release.
3. Lift the hood and release the hood proprod from its retainer, in the front of the
engine compartment. Securely insert the
rod end into the slot marked with an
arrow, on the underside of the hood.
To close the hood: 1. Before closing the hood, be sure all filler caps are on properly, and all tools are
removed. 2. Lift the hood and remove the hood prop
rod from the underside of the hood.
Return the prop rod to its retainer. The
prop rod must click into place when
returning it to the retainer to prevent
hood damage.
3. Lower the hood 20 cm (8 in) above the vehicle and release it. Check to make
sure the hood is latched completely.
Repeat this process with additional force
if necessary.
{Warning
Do not drive the vehicle if the hood is
not latched completely. The hood could
open fully, block your vision, and cause a
crash. You or others could be injured.
Always close the hood completely before
driving.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
248 Vehicle Care
2. Lift up on the latch in the middle of thewiper blade where the wiper arm
attaches.
3. With the latch open, pull the wiper blade down toward the windshield far enough
to release it from the J-hooked end of
the wiper arm.
4. Remove the wiper blade.
5. Reverse Steps 1–3 for wiper blade replacement.
Windshield Replacement
Driver Assistance Systems
If the windshield needs to be replaced and
the vehicle is equipped with a front camera
sensor for the Driver Assistance Systems, a
GM replacement windshield is
recommended. The replacement windshield
must be installed according to GM
specifications for proper alignment. If it is
not, these systems may not work properly,
they may display messages, or they may
not work at all. See your dealer for proper
windshield replacement.
Acoustic Windshield
The vehicle is equipped with an acoustic
windshield. If the windshield needs to be
replaced, be sure to get an acoustic
windshield so you will continue to have the
benefits an acoustic windshield can provide.
Gas Strut(s)
This vehicle is equipped with gas strut(s) to
provide assistance in lifting and holding
open the hood/trunk/liftgate system in full
open position.
{Warning
If the gas struts that hold open the hood,
trunk, and/or liftgate fail, you or others
could be seriously injured. Take the
vehicle to your dealer for service
immediately. Visually inspect the gas
struts for signs of wear, cracks, or other
damage periodically. Check to make sure
the hood/trunk/liftgate is held open with
enough force. If struts are failing to hold
the hood/trunk/liftgate, do not operate.
Have the vehicle serviced.
Caution
Do not apply tape or hang any objects
from gas struts. Also do not push down
or pull on gas struts. This may cause
damage to the vehicle.
See Maintenance Schedule 0304.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
14584249) - 2021 - CRC - 11/9/20
250 Vehicle Care
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps
Driver Side Shown, Passenger Side Similar
1. Sidemarker Lamp
2. Low-Beam Headlamp
3. High-Beam Headlamp
Headlamps (Except Premier)
To replace one of the headlamp bulbs:1. Open the hood. See Hood0229.
2. For the driver side bulb, remove the windshield washer bottle filler neck by
firmly pulling it straight up and out of
the bottle. 3. For the passenger side bulb, remove the
engine air cleaner housing by gripping
firmly and pulling straight up.
4. Remove the cover from the back of the headlamp assembly by turning it
counterclockwise.
5. Press the retaining tab on the electrical connector to disconnect.
6. Remove the bulb from the lamp assembly by turning counterclockwise.
7. Replace the bulb and reverse Steps 1–6 to reinstall.
Headlamps (Premier)
See your dealer for replacement.
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps
See your dealer for replacement.
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps,
and Back-Up Lamps (LS and LT)
Trunk Deck Inboard Taillamp and
Back-Up Lamp
1. Back-Up Lamp
2. Taillamp
1. Open the trunk. See Trunk018.
2. Remove the push pins and pull back the trunk deck trim.
3. Remove the bulb socket by turning counterclockwise and pulling straight out.
4. Remove the bulb from the socket.
5. Install the new bulb in the bulb socket.