Losing or needing to replace your 2020 Chevy Malibu Key Fob can be a hassle, but programming a new one doesn’t have to be. As a car repair expert at keyfobx.com, I’ll walk you through the process of programming your 2020 Chevy Malibu key fob right at home. This guide provides clear, easy-to-follow instructions for both situations: when you have recognized transmitters and when you don’t. Let’s get your new key fob working smoothly with your Chevy Malibu.
Programming Your 2020 Chevy Malibu Key Fob with Recognized Transmitters
This method is straightforward if you already have two working key fobs for your 2020 Chevy Malibu. Make sure you have all key fobs you intend to program with you, including the new one and the two recognized ones, before starting.
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Prepare the Recognized Keys: Begin by placing your two currently working, recognized key fobs in the front cup holder of your 2020 Chevy Malibu.
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Initiate Programming Mode: Locate and remove the key lock cylinder cap on the driver’s side door handle. Insert the vehicle key from your new 2020 Chevy Malibu key fob into the exposed key lock cylinder. Turn the key to the unlock position five times in quick succession, within a 10-second timeframe. You should see a message on the Driver Information Center (DIC) display indicating “READY FOR REMOTE #2, 3, 4 or 5 etc.” This confirms your 2020 Chevy Malibu is in programming mode.
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Place the New Key Fob: Open the center console storage area of your 2020 Chevy Malibu and locate the transmitter pocket. Place the new 2020 Chevy Malibu key fob into this pocket, ensuring the button side is facing towards the rear of the vehicle.
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Learn the New Key Fob: Press the ENGINE START/STOP button in your 2020 Chevy Malibu. Once the new 2020 Chevy Malibu key fob is successfully programmed, the DIC will display a message indicating it’s ready for the next remote to be programmed.
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Finalize and Exit Programming: Remove the newly programmed 2020 Chevy Malibu key fob from the transmitter pocket. Press either the UNLOCK or LOCK button on the key fob to confirm programming. If you have additional key fobs to program, repeat steps 3 through 5. After you’ve programmed all desired key fobs, press and hold the ENGINE START/STOP button for approximately 12 seconds to exit the programming mode.
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Complete the Process: Return the vehicle key back into the newly programmed 2020 Chevy Malibu key fob. Your new 2020 Chevy Malibu key fob should now be fully functional.
Programming Your 2020 Chevy Malibu Key Fob Without Recognized Transmitters
If you don’t have two recognized key fobs, or if you’ve lost all your previous key fobs for your 2020 Chevy Malibu, don’t worry. You can still program a new 2020 Chevy Malibu key fob using this procedure. Note that this process may take around 30 minutes to complete. Again, ensure all key fobs you wish to program are with you. This method is not available in Canada.
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Start Remote Learning Mode: Remove the key lock cylinder cap on the driver’s door handle of your 2020 Chevy Malibu. Insert the vehicle key from your new 2020 Chevy Malibu key fob into the key lock cylinder. Turn the key to the unlock position five times within 10 seconds. The Driver Information Center (DIC) will display “REMOTE LEARN PENDING, PLEASE WAIT.”
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First 10-Minute Wait: Wait for 10 full minutes. The DIC display will change to “PRESS ENGINE START BUTTON TO LEARN.” Once you see this message, press the ENGINE START/STOP button in your 2020 Chevy Malibu. The DIC will again show “REMOTE LEARN PENDING, PLEASE WAIT.”
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Second and Third 10-Minute Waits: Repeat Step 2 two more times. Each time, you’ll wait for 10 minutes and then press the ENGINE START/STOP button when prompted. After the third cycle, any previously programmed key fobs will no longer work with your 2020 Chevy Malibu. This is normal. The DIC display should now finally show “READY FOR REMOTE # 1.”
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Place the New Key Fob: Open the center console storage in your 2020 Chevy Malibu and locate the transmitter pocket. Place the new 2020 Chevy Malibu key fob into the transmitter pocket with the buttons facing towards the rear of the vehicle.
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Learn the New Key Fob: Press the ENGINE START/STOP button. Once the 2020 Chevy Malibu key fob is learned, the DIC will indicate readiness for programming the next remote.
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Finalize and Exit Programming: Remove the 2020 Chevy Malibu key fob from the transmitter pocket. Press UNLOCK or LOCK on the key fob to finalize the programming. To program additional key fobs, repeat steps 4–6. When you have programmed all desired remotes, press and hold ENGINE START/STOP for 12 seconds to exit programming mode.
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Complete the Process: Return the vehicle key back into the newly programmed 2020 Chevy Malibu key fob. Test your new 2020 Chevy Malibu key fob to ensure it’s working correctly with your vehicle.
By following these steps, you can easily program your 2020 Chevy Malibu key fob and regain full access to your vehicle’s keyless entry system. If you encounter any difficulties, or prefer professional assistance, always consult a certified mechanic or your Chevrolet dealership.
