CHEVROLET MALIBU 2018 Owner's Manual

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
270 Vehicle Care
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, seat belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
Remote Keyless Entry transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non-dealer accessories or
making modifications to the vehicle
can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride and
handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and
electronic systems like antilock
brakes, traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty.Damage to suspension components
caused by modifying vehicle height
outside of factory settings will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components
resulting from modifications or the
installation or use of non-GM
certified parts, including control
module or software modifications, is
not covered under the terms of the
vehicle warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage for
affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. See your
dealer to accessorize the vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories
installed by a dealer technician.
Also, see
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 083.
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own
Service Work
{Warning
It can be dangerous to work on
your vehicle if you do not have
the proper knowledge, service
manual, tools, or parts. Always
follow owner ’s manual procedures
and consult the service manual
for your vehicle before doing any
service work.
If doing some of your own service
work, use the proper service
manual. It tells you much more
about how to service the vehicle
than this manual can. To order the
proper service manual, see Service
Publications Ordering Information
0 384.
This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your own
service work, see Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle 082.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
Vehicle Care 271
Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of
any service work performed. See
Maintenance Records0371.
Caution
Even small amounts of
contamination can cause damage
to vehicle systems. Do not allow
contaminants to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Hood
To open the hood:
1. Pull the hood release handle
with this symbol on it. It is
inside the vehicle to the left of
the steering column.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle tofind the secondary release
handle. The handle is under
the front edge of the hood near
the center. Slide the secondary
hood release handle toward
the driver side of the vehicle.3. Lift the hood and pull the proprod by the sleeve from the
retainer, located above the
radiator.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
272 Vehicle Care
4. Securely place the hood proprod into the slot on the
underside of the hood.
To close the hood: 1. Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on
properly. Then, lift the hood to
relieve pressure on the hood
prop rod. Remove the hood
prop rod by the sleeve from the
retainer slot on the underside
of the hood and return the
hood prop rod to its retainer
above the radiator. The hood
prop rod must click into place
when returning it to the retainer
to prevent hood damage.
2. Lower the hood 20 cm (8 in) above the vehicle and release
it so it fully latches. Check to
make sure the hood is closed
and repeat the process if
necessary.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
Vehicle Care 273
Engine Compartment Overview
1.5L L4 Turbo Engine

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
274 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0282.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0278.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0278.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View).
See Cooling System (Engine)
0 283 orCooling System
(Power Electronics) 0287.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brakes 0289.
6. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
See Cooling System (Engine)
0 283 orCooling System
(Power Electronics) 0287.
7. Battery - North America 0291.
8. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal (Under Cover). See
Jump Starting - North America
0343.
9. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0302.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 289. 11. Remote Negative (-) Battery
Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0343.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
Vehicle Care 275
1.8L L4 Hybrid Engine

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
276 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0282.
2. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View).
See Cooling System (Engine)
0 283 orCooling System
(Power Electronics) 0287.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0278.
4. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0278.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brakes 0289.
6. Automatic Transmission Fluid Fill Cap. See Automatic
Transmission Fluid 0282.
7. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
See Cooling System (Engine)
0 283 orCooling System
(Power Electronics) 0287.
8. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal (Under Cover). See
Jump Starting - North America
0343. 9. Power Electronics Coolant
Reservoir.
See Cooling System (Engine)
0 283 orCooling System
(Power Electronics) 0287.
10. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0302.
11. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 289.
12. Remote Negative (-) Battery Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0343.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
Vehicle Care 277
2.0L L4 Turbo Engine

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
278 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0282.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0278.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0278.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View).
See Cooling System (Engine)
0 283 orCooling System
(Power Electronics) 0287.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brakes 0289.
6. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
See Cooling System (Engine)
0 283 orCooling System
(Power Electronics) 0287.
7. Battery - North America 0291.
8. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal (Under Cover). See
Jump Starting - North America
0343.
9. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0302.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 289. 11. Remote Negative (-) Battery
Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0343.
Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.
Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
. Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
. Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System 0281.
. Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” later in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly,
every 650 km (400 mi), especially
prior to a long trip. The engine oil
dipstick handle is a loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0273 for the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center
(DIC) message displays, check the
oil level.
Follow these guidelines:
. To get an accurate reading, park
the vehicle on level ground.
Check the engine oil level after
the engine has been off for at
least two hours. Checking the
engine oil level on steep grades
or too soon after engine shutoff
can result in incorrect readings.
Accuracy improves when

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11348460) - 2018 - crc - 5/3/17
Vehicle Care 279
checking a cold engine prior to
starting. Remove the dipstick
and check the level.
. If unable to wait two hours, the
engine must be off for at least
15 minutes if the engine is
warm, or at least 30 minutes if
the engine is not warm. Pull out
the dipstick, wipe it with a clean
paper towel or cloth, then push it
back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and
check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
1.5L L4 Turbo Engine
1.8L L4 Hybrid Engine
2.0L L4 Turbo Engine
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick and
the engine has been off for at least
15 minutes, add 1 L (1 qt) of the
recommended oil and then recheck
the level. See “Selecting the Right
Engine Oil” later in this section for
an explanation of what kind of oil to
use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, see Capacities and
Specifications 0373.
Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil
levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If you find that you
have an oil level above the
operating range, i.e., the engine
has so much oil that the oil level
gets above the upper mark that
shows the proper operating
range, the engine could be
damaged. You should drain out
the excess oil or limit driving of
the vehicle and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess amount of oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 273 for the location of the engine
oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when through.