CHEVROLET MALIBU 1997 5.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching
each other.
If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don’t want.
You wouldn’t be able to
start your Chevrolet, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
You could be injured if the vehicles roll. Set the
parking brake firmly on each vehicle. Put the
transaxle
in PARK (P).
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter
or the accessory power outlet. Turn off all
lamps that aren’t needed,
as well as radios. This will
avoid sparks
and help save both batteries. In
addition, it could save your radio.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
I NOTICE:
If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repairs wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries.
CAUTION:
An electric fan can start up even when the engine
is not running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any underhood
electric
fan.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 5. Find the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on
each battery.
1-
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use a flashlight
if
you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You don’t
need to add water to the Delco Freedom@ battery
installed in every new
GM vehicle. But if a
battery has filler caps, be sure the right amount
of fluid
is there. If it is low, add water to take
care
of that first. If you don’t, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you.
Don’t get it on you.
If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush the place with
water and get medical help immediately.
6. Check that the jumper cables don’t have loose or
missing insulation. If they
do, you could get a shock.
The vehicles could be damaged, too. Before you
connect
the cabies, here are some things you should
know. Positive (+) will go to positive (+) and
negative
(-) will go to negative (-) or a metal engine
part. Don’t connect positive
(+) to negative (-) or
you’ll get a short that would damage the battery and
maybe other parts, too.
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts
once the engines are running.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 7. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+)
terminal of the vehicle with the dead battery. Use a
remote positive
(+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
8. Don't let the other end
touch metal. Connect it
to the positive
(+)
terminal of the good
battery. Use a remote
positive
(+) terminal if
the vehicle has one.
9. Now connect the black
negative
(-) cable to the
good battery's negative
(-) terminal. Don't let
the other end touch
anything until the next
step. The other end of
the negative cable
doesn 't go to the
dead battery.
It goes
to a heavy unpainted metal part on the engine of
the vehicle with the dead battery.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 10.
11.
12.
Attach the cable at least 18 inches (45 cm) away
from the dead battery, but not near engine parts that
move. The electrical connection is just
as good
there, but the chance of sparks getting back to the
battery is much less.
Now start the vehicle with the good battery and
run
the engine for a while.
Try
to start the vehicle with the dead battery.
If it won’t start after a few tries, it probably
needs service.
13. Remove the cables in reverse order to prevent
electrical shorting. Take
care that they don’t touch
each other or any other metal.
A. Heavy Metal Engine Part
B. Good Battery
C. Dead Battery
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Towing Your Vehicle
Try to have a Chevrolet dealer or a professional towing
service tow your Malibu. They can provide the right
equipment and know-how to tow your vehicle without
damage. (See “Roadside Assistance”
in the Index.)
If your vehicle has been changed or modified since it
was factory-new by adding aftermarket items like fog
lamps, aero skirting, or special tires and wheels, these
instructions and illustrations may not be correct.
Before you do anything,
turn on the hazard
warning flashers. When you
call, tell the towing service:
That your vehicle cannot be towed from the front or
rear
with sling-type equipment, as described later in
this section.
0 That your vehicle cannot be towed from the rear with
the front wheels on the ground.
That your vehicle has front-wheel drive.
The make, model and year of your vehicle.
Whether you can still move the shift lever.
0 If there was an accident, what was damaged.
When the towing service arrives, let the tow operator
know that this manual contains detailed towing
instructions and illustrations. The operator may want to
see them.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A CAUTION:
To help avoid injury to you or others:
0 Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
0 Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.
0 Never tow with damaged parts not
fully secured.
0 Never get under your vehicle after it has
been lifted
by the tow truck.
0 Always secure the vehicle on each side with
separate safety chains when towing it.
0 Never use J-hooks. Use T-hooks instead.
being towed.
A vehicle
can fall from a car-carrier if it isn’t
adequately secured. This can cause
a collision,
serious personal injury and vehicle damage. The
vehicle should be tightly secured with chains or
steel cables before it is transported.
Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps,
canvas webbing, etc.) that can be cut by sharp
edges underneath the towed vehicle. Always use
T-hooks inserted in the T-hook slots. Never use
J-hooks. They will damage drivetrain and
suspension components.
When your vehicle is being towed, turn the ignition key
to ACC. The steering wheel should be clamped in a
straight-ahead position, with a clamping device
designed
for towing service. The transaxle should be in
NEUTRAL (N) and the parking brake released.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I 1 Front Towing
NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling-type equipment or fascia
damage will occur.
Use wheel-lift or car-carrier
equipment. Additional ramping may be required
for carcarrier equipment. Use safety chains and
wheel straps.
NOTICE: (Continued) NOTICE:
(Continued)
I
Towing a vehicle over rough surfaces could
damage a vehicle. Damage can occur from vehicle
to ground or vehicle to wheel-lift equipment.
To
help avoid damage, install a towing dolly and
raise vehicle until adequate clearance
is obtained
between the ground and/or wheel-lift equipment.
Do not attach winch cables
or J-hooks to
suspension components when using carcarrier
equipment. Always use T-hooks inserted
in the
T-hook slots.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Rear Towing
NOTICE:
Do not tow with sling-type equipment or the rear
bumper valance will be damaged. Use wheel-lift
or car-carrier equipment. Additional ramping
may be required for car-carrier equipment. Use
safety chains and wheel straps.
NOTICE: (Continued) NOTICE: (Continued)
Towing a vehicle over rough surfaces could
damage
a vehicle. Damage can occur from vehicle
to ground or vehicle to wheel-lift equipment. To
help avoid damage, install
a towing dolly and
raise vehicle until adequate clearance is obtained
between the ground and/or wheel-lift equipment.
Do not attach winch cables or J-hooks to
suspension components when using carcarrier
equipment. Always use T-hooks inserted in the
T-hook slots.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Overheating I1
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your
Chevrolet’s instrument panel. See “Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage’’
in the Index. You will also find a
low coolant level warning light on your Chevrolet’s
instrument panel. See
“LOW Coolant Warning Light” in
the Index.
If Steam Is Coming From ’ hgine
I I
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn it
off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign
of steam or coolant before you
open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You
or
others could be badly burned. Stop your engine if
it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
1 NOTICE: I
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving
with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no
steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
0 Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or
so:
1. Turn off your air conditioner.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed
and open the window as necessary.
3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving
-- DRIVE (D) OR THIRD (3).
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about
10 minutes.
If the warning doesn’t come back on, you can
drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and
park your
vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for
two or three minutes while you’re parked, to see
if the warning stops. But then,
if you still have the
warning,
turn off the engine and get everyone out of
the vehicle until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
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