2004 Chevrolet Malibu Owner's Manual - Page 142

Use the steps below to place the entire system in automatic mode: 1. Place the fan knob and the mode knob to the AUTO position. The display will now show the current set temperature. When auto is selected, the air conditioning operation and air inlet will be automatically controlled. The air conditioning compressor will run when the outside temperature is over about 40°F (4°C). The air inlet will normally be set to outside air. If it's hot outside, the air inlet may automatically switch to recirculate inside air to help quickly cool down your vehicle. 2. Set the temperature. To find your comfort setting, start with an initial temperature setting and allow about 20 minutes for the system to regulate. Press the up or down arrow temperature buttons to adjust the temperature setting as necessary. If you choose the temperature setting of 60°F (15°C) the system will remain at the maximum cooling setting. If you choose the temperature setting of 90°F (32°C) the system will remain at the maximum heat setting. Choosing either maximum setting will not cause the vehicle to heat or cool any faster. Be careful not to cover the sensor located on the top of the instrument panel near the windshield. This sensor regulates air temperature based on sun load, and also turns on your headlamps. Also be careful not to cover the sensor grille on the lower right side of the climate control faceplate. This senses the inside vehicle temperature needed for proper regulation. To avoid blowing cold air at start-up in cold weather, the system will delay turning on the fan until warm air is available. The length of delay depends on the engine coolant temperature. Turning the fan knob will override this delay and change the fan to a selected speed. If your vehicle has the remote start feature, the climate control display will initially show "AS" in place of the temperature to indicate the remote start has been activated. The system will automatically regulate the temperature. 3-26