Chevrolet Malibu OEM Options Review: Cost & Results

Enhance Your Chevrolet Malibu with Factory Options

Considering adding factory options like cruise control or a remote start system to your Chevrolet Malibu? These upgrades can significantly enhance your driving experience, reducing fatigue on long journeys and adding convenience to your daily routine. This review explores the process, benefits, and costs associated with retrofitting OEM options onto your Malibu, drawing from real-world installations.

Cruise Control: Your Long-Distance Driving Companion

For Chevrolet Malibu owners, especially those who frequently travel long distances, the addition of cruise control can be a game-changer. This factory option allows you to maintain a set speed effortlessly, particularly on highways and dedicated roads, leading to a more relaxed and stable drive. While often included in higher trim levels or specific packages, it's frequently omitted from base models. Fortunately, it's possible to retrofit genuine OEM cruise control components, making it feel as if the feature was factory-installed from the beginning.

Remote Start & Connected Services: Smart Convenience

Beyond cruise control, other OEM options like multi-packs and connected services offer substantial convenience upgrades. Features such as automatic side mirror folding, hazard light activation when reversing, and keyless entry with a door code add daily utility. The remote start function is particularly beneficial, allowing you to pre-condition your Malibu's cabin to a comfortable temperature before you even step inside, whether it's battling winter chills or summer heat. The connected services take this a step further, enabling you to monitor and control your vehicle via a smartphone app. Similar to other manufacturers' connected car services, this allows remote engine start, door locking/unlocking, and real-time vehicle status checks—including fuel levels, oil condition, and tire pressure (TPMS)—from virtually anywhere. This service typically uses a cellular network and incurs a minimal monthly fee.

OEM Options Installation Process

Retrofitting these OEM options, such as cruise control and remote start systems for the Chevrolet Malibu, involves a combination of hardware installation and software programming. Because genuine parts are used, they integrate seamlessly with your vehicle's existing systems. The process typically requires pre-ordering specific components, making advance booking essential. For cruise control, this often involves replacing a section of the steering wheel controls. All wiring is meticulously installed and secured with sound-dampening tape to ensure a clean, durable, and noise-free finish. Once the physical components are in place, specialized software is used to activate the new functions within the car's computer system, ensuring everything operates as if it were originally equipped.

Installation process:

1. Component Preparation: Order and confirm availability of genuine OEM parts, such as steering wheel control modules and remote start kits.
2. Hardware Installation: Carefully remove existing trim pieces and install new components, including steering wheel buttons and necessary wiring harnesses. All connections are secured and insulated for longevity.
3. Software Activation: Connect diagnostic tools to the vehicle's OBD-II port and use manufacturer-specific software to program and activate the newly installed features.
4. System Verification: Test all functions thoroughly, including cruise control engagement and remote start operation, to ensure proper performance and integration.

The cost for such installations in Korea typically ranges from approximately 300,000 to 700,000 KRW (roughly $220-$500 USD, depending on exchange rates), varying based on the specific options chosen, vehicle trim, and the complexity of the installation.