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2004 Chevrolet Malibu Owner's Manual - Page 64

2004 Chevrolet Malibu Manual

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What Makes an Air Bag Inflate? In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. For both frontal and side impact air bags, the sensing system triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which inflates the air bag. The inflator, air bag, and related hardware are all part of the air bag modules inside the steering wheel and in the instrument panel in front of the right front passenger and in the ceiling of the vehicle, near the side windows. Side impact air bags would not help you in many types of collisions, including frontal or near frontal collisions, rollovers, and rear impacts, primarily because an occupant's motion is not toward those air bags. Air bags should never be regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety belts, and then only in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions for the driver's and right front passenger's frontal air bags, and only in moderate to severe side collisions for the side impact air bags. How Does an Air Bag Restrain? In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions, even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside of the vehicle. The air bag supplements the protection provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of the impact more evenly over the occupant's upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But the frontal air bags would not help you in many types of collisions, including rollovers, rear impacts, and many side impacts, primarily because an occupant's motion is not toward the air bag. What Will You See After an Air Bag Inflates? After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly that some people may not even realize the air bag inflated. Some components of the air bag module - the steering wheel hub for the driver's air bag, the instrument panel for the right front passenger's bag or the ceiling of your vehicle near the side windows - will be hot for a short time. The parts of the bag that come into contact with you may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There will be some smoke and dust coming from the vents in the deflated air bags. Air bag inflation doesn't prevent the driver from seeing or being able to steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people from leaving the vehicle. 1-58

Section	Page
2004 Malibu Book TOC	1
Seats and Restraint Systems	7
Front Seats	8
Manual Seats	8
Six-Way Power Driver Seat	9
Manual Lumbar	9
Heated Seats	10
Reclining Seatbacks	10
Head Restraints	12
Passenger Folding Seatback	12
Rear Seats	13
Rear Seat Operation	13
Safety Belts	16
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone	16
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts	20
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly	21
Driver Position	22
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy	29
Right Front Passenger Position	30
Rear Seat Passengers	30
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults	34
Safety Belt Pretensioners	36
Safety Belt Extender	36
Child Restraints	37
Older Children	37
Infants and Young Children	40
Child Restraint Systems	44
Where to Put the Restraint	47
Top Strap	48
Top Strap Anchor Location	49
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System)	50
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System	52
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat Position	52
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position	55
Air Bag Systems	58
Where Are the Air Bags?	60
When Should an Air Bag Inflate?	63
What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?	64
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?	64
What Will You See After an Air Bag Inflates?	64
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle	66
Restraint System Check	66
Checking Your Restraint Systems	66
Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash	67
Features and Controls	69
Keys	71
Remote Keyless Entry System	73
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation	74
Doors and Locks	78
Door Locks	78
Power Door Locks	79
Door Ajar Reminder	80
Delayed Locking	80
Programmable Automatic Door Locks	80
Lockout Protection	81
Leaving Your Vehicle	81
Trunk	81
Liftgate	83
Windows	84
Power Windows	85
Sun Visors	85
Theft-Deterrent Systems	86
Content Theft-Deterrent	86
PASS-Key® III+	88
PASS-Key® III+ Operation	88
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle	90
New Vehicle Break-In	90
Ignition Positions	90
Starting Your Engine	91
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal	92
Engine Coolant Heater	93
Automatic Transaxle Operation	95
Parking Brake	97
Shifting Into Park (P)	98
Shifting Out of Park (P)	100
Parking Over Things That Burn	100
Engine Exhaust	101
Running Your Engine While You Are Parked	102
Mirrors	103
Manual Rearview Mirror	103
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar®	103
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror	103
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with OnStar®	104
Outside Power Mirrors	105
Outside Power Heated Mirrors	105
Outside Convex Mirror	105
OnStar® System	106
HomeLink® Transmitter	108
Programming the HomeLink® Transmitter	109
Storage Areas	112
Glove Box	112
Cupholder(s)	112
Center Console Storage Area	113
Map Pocket	113
Rear Compartment Storage Panel/Cover	113
Table	115
Convenience Net	115
Sunroof	116
Instrument Panel	117
Instrument Panel Overview	120
Hazard Warning Flashers	122
Other Warning Devices	123
Horn	123
Tilt Wheel	123
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever	124
Exterior Lamps	130
Interior Lamps	135
Accessory Power Outlets	136
Climate Controls	137
Climate Control System	137
Automatic Climate Control System	141
Outlet Adjustment	146
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators	147
Instrument Panel Cluster	148
Speedometer and Odometer	149
Tachometer	149
Safety Belt Reminder Light	150
Air Bag Readiness Light	150
Charging System Light	151
Brake System Warning Light	152
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light	153
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light	153
Enhanced Traction System Active Light	154
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light	154
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage	155
Malfunction Indicator Lamp	155
Oil Pressure Light	158
Security Light	159
Cruise Control Light	159
Service Vehicle Soon Light	160
Fuel Gage	160
Driver Information Center (DIC)	161
DIC Operation and Displays	162
DIC Warnings and Messages	166
Audio System(s)	168
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio Data Systems (RDS)	168
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio Data Systems (RDS)	169
Radio with CD (Base Level)	169
Radio with CD (Up Level)	174
Radio with Cassette and CD	185
Radio with Six-Disc CD	198
Rear Seat Entertainment System	212
Rear Seat Audio (RSA) (Without Entertainment System)	227
Rear Seat Audio (RSA) (With Entertainment System)	229
Theft-Deterrent Feature	231
Audio Steering Wheel Controls	231
DVD Distortion	232
Radio Reception	232
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player	233
Care of Your CDs and DVDs	234
Care of Your CD and DVD Player	234
Cleaning Your DVD Player	234
Cleaning the Video Screen	234
Fixed Mast Antenna (MAXX Only)	234
Backglass Antenna (Sedan Only)	235
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System	235
Driving Your Vehicle	237
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle	238
Defensive Driving	238
Drunken Driving	238
Control of a Vehicle	241
Braking	242
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)	245
Steering	247
Off-Road Recovery	249
Passing	249
Loss of Control	251
Driving at Night	252
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads	254
City Driving	257
Freeway Driving	258
Before Leaving on a Long Trip	259
Highway Hypnosis	260
Hill and Mountain Roads	260
Winter Driving	262
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow	266
Towing	267
Towing Your Vehicle	267
Recreational Vehicle Towing	267
Loading Your Vehicle	270
Towing a Trailer	276
Service and Appearance Care	283
Service	285
Doing Your Own Service Work	286
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle	287
Fuel	287
Gasoline Octane	287
Gasoline Specifications	288
California Fuel	288
Additives	289
Fuels in Foreign Countries	290
Filling Your Tank	290
Filling a Portable Fuel Container	293
Checking Things Under the Hood	294
Hood Release	294
Engine Compartment Overview	296
Engine Oil	299
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter	304
Automatic Transaxle Fluid	305
Engine Coolant	306
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap	308
Engine Overheating	309
Cooling System	311
Windshield Washer Fluid	316
Brakes	317
Battery	320
Jump Starting	321
Bulb Replacement	327
Halogen Bulbs	327
Headlamps	327
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)	329
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps	329
Replacement Bulbs	331
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement	331
Tires	332
Inflation - Tire Pressure	339
Tire Inspection and Rotation	340
When It Is Time for New Tires	341
Buying New Tires	342
Uniform Tire Quality Grading	343
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance	344
Wheel Replacement	344
Tire Chains	346
If a Tire Goes Flat	347
Changing a Flat Tire	348
Compact Spare Tire	359
Appearance Care	360
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle	360
Care of Safety Belts	363
Weatherstrips	363
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle	363
Sheet Metal Damage	365
Finish Damage	365
Underbody Maintenance	366
Chemical Paint Spotting	366
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials	366
Vehicle Identification	368
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)	368
Service Parts Identification Label	368
Electrical System	369
Add-On Electrical Equipment	369
Headlamp Wiring	369
Windshield Wiper Fuses	369
Power Windows and Other Power Options	369
Fuses	370
Capacities and Specifications	378
Maintenance Schedule	379
Maintenance Schedule	380
Introduction	380
Maintenance Requirements	380
Your Vehicle and the Environment	380
Using Your Maintenance Schedule	381
Scheduled Maintenance	382
Additional Required Services	384
Maintenance Footnotes	385
Owner Checks and Services	387
At Each Fuel Fill	387
At Least Once a Month	387
At Least Once a Year	388
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants	390
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts	391
Engine Drive Belt Routing	392
Maintenance Record	393
Customer Assistance and Information	397
Customer Assistance and Information	398
Customer Satisfaction Procedure	398
Online Owner Center	400
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users	400
Customer Assistance Offices	400
GM Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities	402
Roadside Assistance Program	402
Courtesy Transportation	404
Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data Recorders	406
Reporting Safety Defects	407
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government	407
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government	408
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors	408
Service Publications Ordering Information	408

Match case Limit results 1 per page

What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?

In an impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing

system detects that the vehicle is in a crash. For

both frontal and side impact air bags, the sensing

system triggers a release of gas from the inflator, which

inflates the air bag. The inflator, air bag, and related

hardware are all part of the air bag modules inside the

steering wheel and in the instrument panel in front

of the right front passenger and in the ceiling of

the vehicle, near the side windows.

How Does an Air Bag Restrain?

In moderate to severe frontal or near frontal collisions,

even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or

the instrument panel. In moderate to severe side

collisions, even belted occupants can contact the inside

of the vehicle. The air bag supplements the protection

provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of

the impact more evenly over the occupant’s upper

body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But the

frontal air bags would not help you in many types

of collisions, including rollovers, rear impacts, and many

side impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion

is not toward the air bag.

Side impact air bags would not help you in many types

of collisions, including frontal or near frontal collisions,

rollovers, and rear impacts, primarily because an

occupant’s motion is not toward those air bags. Air bags

should never be regarded as anything more than a

supplement to safety belts, and then only in moderate to

severe frontal or near-frontal collisions for the driver’s

and right front passenger’s frontal air bags, and

only in moderate to severe side collisions for the side

impact air bags.

What Will You See After an Air Bag

Inflates?

After an air bag inflates, it quickly deflates, so quickly that

some people may not even realize the air bag inflated.

Some components of the air bag module — the steering

wheel hub for the driver’s air bag, the instrument panel for

the right front passenger’s bag or the ceiling of your

vehicle near the side windows — will be hot for a short

time. The parts of the bag that come into contact with you

may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There will be

some smoke and dust coming from the vents in the

deflated air bags. Air bag inflation doesn’t prevent the

driver from seeing or being able to steer the vehicle, nor

does it stop people from leaving the vehicle.

1-58