overheating CHEVROLET MALIBU 1997 5.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
With the anti-lock brake system, this light will come
on when you
turn your
ignition on or start your
engine and it will stay on
for three seconds.
That’s normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition to OFF. Or, if the
light comes on and
the chime sounds when you’re
driving, stop
as soon as possible and turn the ignition
off. Then start the engine again to reset the system. If
the light still stays on, or comes on again while you’re
driving, your Chevrolet needs service.
If the regular
brake system warning light isn’t on, you still have
brakes, but you don’t have anti-lock brakes. If the
regular brake system warning light is also on, you don’t
have anti-lock brakes and there’s a problem with your
regular brakes. See “Brake System Warning Light”
earlier in this section. The anti-lock brake system warning
light shoula come
on briefly when you
turn the ignition key to ON. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be
ready to warn you
if there is a problem.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
0
This gage shows the engine
coolant temperature.
If the
gage pointer moves into the
red area, the light comes on and you hear
a chime, your
engine is too hot! It means
that your engine coolant
has overheated.
If you have been operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions, you should pull
off the road, stop
your vehicle and turn
off the engine as soon as possible.
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
2-56

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Low Coolant Warning Light
This light comes on
briefly when you turn
If this light comes on and stays on and you hear a chime,
the vehicle should promptly be pulled
off the road and
the coolant level checked.
See “Engine Coolant” in the Index.
If there are visible
signs of steam, see “Engine Overheating”
in the Index
before opening the hood. Have your vehicle serviced as soon as you can.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)
CHECK
Your Chevrolet is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD 11 (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to assure
that emissions are at acceptable levels for the life of the
vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner environment. (In
Canada, OBD
II is replaced by Enhanced Diagnostics.)
The CHECK ENGINE light comes on and a chime will
sound to indicate that there is a problem and service is
required. Malfunctions often will be indicated by the
system before any problem is apparent.
This may prevent
more serious damage to your vehicle.
This system is also
designed to assist your service technician
in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.
2-57

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Driving On Grades
NOTICE:
Do not tow on steep continuous grades exceeding
6 miles (9.6 km). Extended, higher than normal
engine and transaxle temperatures may result
and damage your vehicle. Frequent stops are
very important to allow the engine and transaxle
to cool.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes
so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed to around
45 mph (70 kmh) to reduce the
possibility of engine and transaxle overheating.
Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached, on a hill.
If something goes wrong, your rig
could start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig
on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
brake and shift into PARK
(P).
PARK (P) yet.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
5. Release the regular brakes.
Pay attention to the engine coolant gage. If the indicator
is in the red area, turn off the air conditioning (if you
have this option) to reduce engine load (see “Engine
Overheating” in the Index).
4-39

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0 Sectio 5 Problems on the Road
Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5-2
5-2
5-3
5-8
5- 10
5-11
5- 12
5- 12
How to Use Warning Flashers
Other Types of Warning Devices
Step-by-step Procedure for Jump Starting
Information You Should Know Before Towing
Towing Your Vehicle From the Front
Towing Your Vehicle From the Rear
If Your Engine is Overheating
If Steam is Coming From Your Engine
5-16 How to Add Coolant
5 -20 What to do if a Tire Goes Flat
5-2 1 How to Change a Flat Tire
5-30 Where to Store the Flat Tire and Tools
5-32 Information on the Compact Spare Tire
5-33 If You’re Stuck in Sand, Mud, Snow or on Ice
5-33 How to Rock Your Vehicle
5-1

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 An electric fan under the hood 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.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling,
don’t do anything else until it cools down.
The coolant level should be at or above
FULL COLD.
If it isn’t, you may have a leak in the radiator hoses,
heater hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere
else in
the cooling system.
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them.
If you
do,
you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine
if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
I NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine fans
are running. If the engine
is overheating, both fans should be running. If they
aren’t, your vehicle needs service.
5-15

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can
cause you or others to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air,
it stops flame if the engine
backfires.
If it isn’t there, and the engine
backfires, you could be burned. Don’t drive with
it
off, and be careful working on the engine with
the
air cleaner off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage it. Always
have the air cleaner in place when you’re driving.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid level.
A transaxle fluid leak is the only reason for fluid loss.
If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to your Chevrolet
dealership Service Department and have it repaired as
soon as possible. You may
also have your fluid level
checked by your dealer or service center when you have
your oil changed.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL” engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for
5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs fist, if you add only
DEX-COOL TM extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system
and how to
add coolant when it is low.
If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Surge Tank Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
Your pressure cap is an 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant
loss and possible engine damage
from overheating.
When you replace your surge tank pressure cap, a GM
cap is recommended.
Thermostat Power Steering Fluid
Engine coolant temperature
is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When
you replace your thermostat, an AC@ thermostat
is recommended.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise.
A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
6-22

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Replacement blades come in different types and are
removed in different ways. For the proper type and length, see “Capacities and Specifications’’
in the Index.
Here’s how to remove the Sheppard’s
Hook type:
1. Pull the windshield wiper arm away from
the windshield.
2. Push the release lever and slide the wiper assembly
toward the driver’s side of the vehicle.
3. Install a new blade by reversing Steps 1 and 2.
Tires
Your new Chevrolet comes with high-quality tires made
by a leading tire manufacturer. If
you ever have
questions about your tire warranty and where to obtain
service, see your Chevrolet Warranty booklet for details.
‘ ”AUTION: d
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result
of too much friction.
You could have an air-out and a serious
accident. See “Loading Your Vehicle” in
the Index.
CAUTION: (Continued)
6-35

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Electrical Equipment. Adding ..... 2.15.2.16.3.22. 6.64
Electrical System
............................... 6-54
Engine
.................................. 6.10. 6.11
Coolant
..................................... 6-18
Coolant Heater
............................... 2-17
Coolant Levelcheck
.......................... 7-37
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-56
Exhaust
...................... 2.10.2.26.4.27. 4.36
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-58
Identification
................................ 6-53
Oil Level Check
.............................. 7-37
Overheating
................................. 5-12
Running While Parked
......................... 2-26
Specifications
................................ 6-62
Starting Your
........................... 2- 14. 2. 16
EngineOil .................................... 6-12
Adding
..................................... 6-13
Additives
................................... 6-16
Checking ................................... 6-13
Pressure Warning Light
........................ 2-60
Used
....................................... 6-17
What Kind to Use
............................. 6- 15
Ethanol ........................................ 6-4
Exterior Lamps
................................. 2-36
Whentochange
.............................. 6-16
Fabric Cleaning ............................... 6-45
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-5
Filter. Air
..................................... 6-17
Finishcare
.................................... 6-49 Finish Damage
................................. 6-51
First Gear. Automatic Transaxle
................... 2-21
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Flash-to-Pass .................................. 2-30
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-20
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-42
FogLmps
.................................... 2-38
Following Distance with a Trailer
.................. 4-37
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-5
FrenchLanguageManual
11
FrontTowing .................................. 5-10
Fuel .......................................... 6-3
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-5
Gage
....................................... 2-64
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-5
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-55
.. ...........................
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-56
Fuel
....................................... 2-64
Tachometer
.................................. 2-52
Garment
Hook ................................. 2-46
GAWR
....................................... 4-31
Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-19
GloveBox
.................................... 2-42
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-31
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ...................... 4-31
Guide en Frangais
11
GVWR ....................................... 4-31
.. .................................
9-4