maintenance CHEVROLET MALIBU 1997 5.G User Guide

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It should be
at
60 psi (420 Ea).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure.
You can’t tell if your tires are properly inflated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they’re underinflated.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve
stems. They help prevent leaks by keeping out
dirt and moisture.
Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
(10 0oO to 13 0o0 km). Any time you notice unusual wear,
rotate
your tires as soon as possible and check wheel
alignment.
Also check for damaged tires or wheels. See
“When It’s Time for New Tires” and “Wheel
Replacement” later
in this section for more information.
The purpose
of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear
for all tires on the vehicle. The first
rotation is the most important. See “Scheduled
Maintenance Services” in the Index for scheduled
rotation intervals.
6-37

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develop into a major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up materials available from your dealer or other service
outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer’s body and paint shop.
t .erbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust control
can collect
on the underbody. If these are not removed,
accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur on the underbody
parts such as he1 lines, frame, floor pan and exhaust
system even though they have corrosion protection.
At least every spring, flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud and other debris can collect. Dirt packed in closed areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer or an underbody car washing system can do
this for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a
chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and
attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This damage
can take two forms: blotchy, ringlet-shaped
discolorations, and small irregular dark spots etched into
the paint surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this,
Chevrolet will repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces of new vehicles damaged by this fallout
condition within 12 months or 12,000 miles (20
000 km)
of purchase, whichever occurs first.
6-51

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 2.4L Engine Specifications
VIN Engine Code ........................... T
Type
.................................... L4
Displacement
........................ 2.4 Liters
Firing Order
.......................... 1-3-4-2
Horsepower
............................. 150
Thermostat Temperature
........... 180°F (82°C)
3100 Engine Specifications
VIN Engine Code ........................... M
Type .................................... V6
Displacement ........................ 3.1 Liters
Firing Order
...................... 1-2-3-4-5-6
Horsepower
............................. 155
Thermostat Temperature
........... 195°F (91 “C)
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same.
If the air conditioning system in your vehicle needs
refrigerant, be sure the proper refrigerant is used.
If you’re not sure, ask your Chevrolet dealer.
Normal Maintenance Replacement
Parts
Air Cleaner Element
2.4L ....................... AC Type A- 1279C
3 100 ....................... AC Type A- 1279C
Engine Oil Filter
2.4L .......................... AC Type PF-44
3100
.......................... ACTypePF-47
Spark Plugs
2.4L .......... AC Qpe 041 -9 10 (Platinum Plug)
Gap:
0.060 inch (1.52 mm)
3100 .......... AC Type 04 1-940 (Platinum Plug)
Gap:
0.060 inch (1.52 mm)
Windshield Wiper Blades
Passenger’s Side ............... 19 inches (48 cm)
Driver’s Side
................. 22 inches (56 cm)
Dimensions
Length ................. 190.4 inches (483.7 cm)
Width
................... 69.4 inches (176.3 cm)
Height
................... 56.4 inches (143.2 cm)
Wheelbase
................ 107 inches (271 -9 cm)
Front Tread
................ .59 inches (149.9 cm)
Rear Tread
............... 59.3 inches (1 50.5 cm)
6-62

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0 Section 7 Maintenance Schedule
This section covers the maintenance required for your Chevrolet. Your vehicle needs these services to retain its safety,
dependability and emission control performance.
7-2
7-2
7-3
7-4
7-4
7-5
7-5
7-6
7-6
Introduction to Your Maintenance Schedule
Your Vehicle and the Environment
How
this Section is Organized
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
Selecting the Right Schedule for
Your Vehicle
Short Trip/City Definition
Short TripKity Intervals
Long TripMghway Definition
Long TripMghway Intervals
7-37
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7-41
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7-38 Owner Checks
at Each Fuel Fill-up
What to Check at Least Once a Month
What to Check at Least Twice a Year
What to Check at Least Once a Year
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Tips for Keeping Track of Maintenance
A Place to Record Maintenance Procedures

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine IMPORTANT:
KEEP ENGINE OIL
AT THE PROPER
LEVEL AND CHANGE AS
RECOMMENDED
I
1
Protection
Plan
Introduction
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but
also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance procedures
are important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even
affect the quality
of the air we breathe. Improper fluid
levels or the wrong tire inflation can increase the level
of emissions from your vehicle.
To help protect our
environment, and to keep your vehicle in good
condition, please maintain your vehicle properly.
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements
your new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet, or your
Chevrolet dealer for details.
7-2

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How This Section is Organized
The remainder of this section is divided into five parts:
“Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services” shows
what to have done and how often. Some of these
services can be complex,
so unless you are technically
qualified and have the necessary equipment, you should
let your dealer’s service department or another qualified
service center do these jobs.
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can
be dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you can
be seriously injured.
Do your own maintenance
work only if you have the required know-how
and the proper
tools and equipment for the job.
If you have any doubt, have a qualified
technician do the work.
If you are skilled enough to do some work on your
vehicle, you will probably want to get the service
information GM publishes. See “Service and Owner
Publications’’ in the Index.
“Part B: Owner Checks and Services” tells
you what should be checked and when. It also explains what you can easily do to help keep your vehicle in
good condition.
“Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections’’ explains
important inspections that your Chevrolet dealer’s service department or another qualified service center
should perform.
“Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” lists
some products GM recommends to help keep your
vehicle properly maintained. These products, or their
equivalents, should be used whether you do the work
yourself or have it done.
“Part E: Maintenance Record” provides a place for
you to record the maintenance performed on your
vehicle. Whenever
any maintenance is performed, be
sure to write it down in this part. This will help you
determine when your next maintenance should be done.
In addition,
it is a good idea to keep your maintenance
receipts. They may be needed to qualify your vehicle for
warranty repairs.
7-3

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Part A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to help you keep your
vehicle in good working condition. But we don’t know
exactly how you’ll drive it. You may drive
very short
distances only a few times a week. Or you may drive
long distances all the time in very hot, dusty weather.
You may use your vehicle in making deliveries. Or
you may drive it to work,
to do errands or in many
other ways.
Because
of all the different ways people use their GM
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may even need
more frequent checks and replacements than you’ll find
in the schedules in this section.
So please read this
section and note how you drive. If you have any
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good
condition,
see your Chevrolet dealer.
This part tells you the maintenance services you should
have done and when you should schedule them.
If you
go
to your dealer for your service needs, you’ll know
that GM-trained and supported service people will
perform the work using genuine GM
parts.
The proper fluids and lubricants to use are listed in Part D.
Make sure whoever services your vehicle uses these. All
parts should be replaced and all necessary repairs done
before you or anyone else drives the vehicle.
These schedules are for vehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits. You will find these limits on your vehicle’s
Tire-Loading Information label. See “Loading
Your
Vehicle” in the Index.
0 are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.
use the recommended fuel. See “Fuel” in the Index.
Selecting the Right Schedule
First you’ll need to decide which of the two schedules is
right for your vehicle. Here’s how to decide which
schedule to follow:
7-4

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Maintenance Schedule
I Short Trip/City Definition
Follow the Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule if any
one of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
0 Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
0 You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle. (With some models, you should never
tow a trailer. See “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.)
0 If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule if
you operate your vehicle under any of these conditions
is that these conditions cause engine
oil to break
down soonep:
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or
3 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Inspection, if driving in dusty conditions.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure
to follow the complete maintenance schedule on
the following pages.
7-5

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Maintenance Schedule
Long Trip/Hig;hway Definition
Follow this maintenance schedule only if none of the
conditions from the Short TripKity Maintenance
Schedule is true.
Do not use this schedule if the vehicle
is used for trailer towing, driven in a dusty area or used
off paved roads. Use the
Short TripKity schedule for
these conditions.
Driving a vehicle with a filly warmed engine under
highway conditions causes engine
oil to break
down slowei:
I Low Trip/Hiehwav Intervals I
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
Tire Rotation.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete maintenance schedule on
the following pages.
1-0

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine IShort TripKity Maintenance Schedule I
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) at the same intervals. The services shown
at 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) should be performed at
the same interval after
150,000 miles (240 000 km).
See “Owner Checks and Services” and “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” following.
Footnotes
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior
to the
completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that
all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance
be recorded.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See “Brake System Inspection” under “Periodic
Maintenance Inspection” in Part
C of this schedule.
3,000 Miles (5 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY: I
7-7