The Chevy Malibu is one of the many vehicles these days that come with remote and keyless entry. Thanks to this technology, you can now control your trunk, door locks, and panic alarms from a few hundred feet away from your vehicle. Programming your Chevy Malibu remote is a painless process that you can do from your driver’s seat. Within a few minutes, your remote is ready for use.
Here’s how to program your Chevy Malibu remote.
Chevrolet Malibu key fob programming
- Unlock all car doors with your key manually.
- Enter your car and ensure you shut all the doors.
- Put the key into the ignition, ensuring you do not start the car.
- Locate the unlock button on the driver’s side door and press and hold it as you turn your key to ‘On.’ This action should light the interior lights and radio but should not ignite your engine.
- Return the key to the ‘Off’ position. Turn the key to the ‘On’ position again, then to ‘Off’ in quick succession.
- Release the unlock tab. You will notice a sound as the door locks engage and disengage, informing you to begin the programming sequence.
- Press and hold the ‘Lock’ and ‘Unlock’ buttons on the key fob simultaneously until your car beeps twice as the door locks engage and disengage. The beeping shows that programming your key fob was successful.
- End the programming sequence by removing the key from the ignition.
- If you have extra key fobs for your Chevy Malibu that you still want to function, program them all together so that they continue unlocking your Chevy.
Can I program my own Chevrolet Malibu key fob?
Yes, you can. DIY programming is fast and cheap. The programming sequence requires no particular skill. Follow the steps discussed above to program your Chevy Malibu key fob. This programming sequence works for almost all keys. When programming a spare key for your Chevrolet Malibu, you can follow the same steps.
How to get a replacement key for your Chevrolet Malibu
Losing your Chevy Malibu key fob should not give you sleepless nights because the replacement process is not complicated. The ideal place for replacement is at a certified Chevy dealership. You are sure that the key you get at the dealership is genuine and will work just like the old one.
After getting your key fob, you can program it yourself or incur an extra cost and let the dealership do the programming. DIY programming depends on the model and age of your Chevy Malibu. You may use the owner’s manual from Chevy or look for programming info on the internet.
You have three options when replacing your key:
- Tow your car to the dealership
- Call an automotive locksmith who offers mobile services for Chevrolet Malibus
- Order your key online and let the locksmith cut and program it for you if necessary.
The type of key you require depends on your car’s age and model, and the options for getting the key made will depend on your needs; whether you need a regular key, transponder, remote, push to start button, or an intelligent fob.
Give the locksmith the following info:
- Year, make, and model of your car
- Your car’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), which you will find on the left side of the dashboard near the mirror.
- The type of key you had, e.g., regular or key fob.
- Your location.
- Be ready to provide proof of vehicle ownership upon request.
Replacement cost
The replacement cost for your key fob depends on some factors:
- The manufacture year of your car
- The type of key you want
- Time of day and your location
- Availability of key cutting code
- Where you get the replacement; dealer or online, etc
- Original ignition or not
There are different types of keys, and some require programming while others don’t. All smart key fobs and transponder chip keys require programming. Non-transponder keys do not need programming.
How much does it cost to program a Chevrolet Malibu Key fob?
Programming your Chevy Malibu key fob is free if you do it by yourself. However, if you decide to seek the help of a locksmith, you will incur a cost that varies from one locksmith to another.
When to replace Chevy Malibu key fob batteries
Your Chevy Malibu key fob operates using a battery that you should replace after two years or when low. To extend your battery’s life, you can use a case to cover it to protect it from weather conditions. However, not all key fobs use a battery. Passive key fobs do not need it, as their power source is the magnetic energy transmission between the antenna and the reader.
Is a Chevrolet Malibu key fob programmable?
Your Chevy Malibu key fob is programmable as it is a smart key fob. Programming allows you to remotely control your vehicle’s trunk, engine, a panic alarm, and door locks. If yours is not yet programmed, you can program it by yourself from the driver’s seat in a matter of minutes.
What is a key fob?
A key fob is a small remote control device used to control a remote keyless entry system. It is a handheld device that operates by the click of a button.
Advantages of a key fob
- Reliable: copied keys may be unreliable, especially if they are made using low-quality materials. A key fob is a high-quality RFID chip that is a durable and reliable solution.
- Secure: When you lose your metal keys, you may get worried that someone else may gain unauthorized access to your car. However, a lost key fob can be remotely deactivated.
- Easy to reprogram: reprogramming new key fobs is easy.
- Convenient: they make it fast and simple to lock and unlock a vehicle or any other electronic lock system.
- Small in size: a key fob is handheld and easily portable due to its size.
- Access levels: a key fob is customizable to provide restricted access where necessary.
Conclusion
These advantages make key fobs popular and are widely adopted. Once you get used to your Chevy Malibu key fob, you will never want to use the physical metal keys again. The best thing about key fobs is that they are replaceable. And after replacement, you can still program them yourself.