warning CHEVROLET MALIBU 1998 Owner's Guide

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL@ coolant which
won’t damage aluminum
parts. If you use this mixture,
YOU don’t need to add anything else.
I A CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture
will. Your vehicle’s coolant
warning system is set for the proper coolant
mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture,
your engine could .get too hot but you wouldn’t
get the overheat warning. Your engine could
catch fire and you or others could be burned.
Use a
50/50 mixture of clean water and
DEX-COOL@ coolant.
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mixture, your
engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty.
Too much water in the mixture can
freeze and crack the engine, radiator, heater core
and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.
6-21

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine BRAKE
United States Canada
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. See “Brake System Warning
Light” in the Index.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 12377967). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap
and the area
around the cap before removing
it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
A CAJTION:
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always
use the proper brake fluid.
6-27

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I
1
NOTICE:
0
0
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a few
drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in
the Index.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a
high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are
worn
and new pads are needed. The sound may come and go or
be heard
all the time your vehicle is moving (except when
you are pushing on the brake
pedal fdy).
The brake wear warning sound means that soon I
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead to I
an accident. When you hear the brake wear I
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced. I
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
~ U’YU

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This
applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.) The
grades are molded on the sidewalls of most passenger
car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading system does
not apply to deep tread, winter-type snow tires,
space-saver or temporary use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters
of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to Federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate
of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions
on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half
(1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices
mci diffcxences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction -- A, B, C
The traction grades, from hghest to lowest, are A, B, and
C, and they represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement
as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based
on braking (straight ahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction.
6-42

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Temperature -- A, B, C Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade
C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades
B and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure. The
wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.
Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel balancing are not
needed. However,
if you notice unusual tire wear or
your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the alignment
may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your wheels
may need to be rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel,
wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced. If the
wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your
dealer if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
6-43
-_

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine r rire Chains
NOTICE:
Use tire chains only where legal and only when
you must. Use only
SAE Class “S” type chains
that are the proper size
for your tires. Install
them on the front tires and tighten them as
tightly as possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions.
If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them.
If the contact continues, slow down until it
stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels
with chains on will damage your vehicle.
Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. Others can burst into flame if you strike a
match or get them on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous if you breathe their fumes in a closed space.
When you use anything from a container to clean your
vehicle, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s warnings and instructions. And always open your
doors or
windows when you’re cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
Gasoline
Benzene
Naphtha
Carbon Tetrachloride
0 Acetone
0 Paint Thinner
0 Turpentine
Lacquer Thinner
Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous
-- some more than
others
-- and they can all damage your vehicle, too.
Don’t use any
of these unless this manual says you can.
In many uses, these will damage your vehicle:
0 Alcohol
0 Laundry Soap
0 Bleach
0 Reducing Agents

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0 Section 9 Index
Accessory Power Outlet ......................... 2-44
Adding Equipment to Your Vehicle
.................. 6-3
Adjuster. Seat .............................. 1.2. 1.52
AirBag
....................................... 1-20
How Does it Restrain
.......................... 1-24
Howitworks
................................ 1-22
Location
.................................... 1-22
Readiness Light
......................... 1.22. 2.5 1
Servicing ................................... 1-26
What Makes it Inflate
.......................... 1-24
What Will
You See After it Inflates ............... 1-25
When Should it Inflate ......................... 1-24
Air Bag Readiness Light
................... 1.22. 2.5 1
Aircleaner .................................... 6-18
Air Conditioning ............................ 3.2. 2.3
Air Conditioning Refrigerants ..................... 6-62
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-43
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
...................... 6-50
Antenna. Fixed ................................. 3-24
Antifreeze
..................................... 6-20
Anti-Lock
Brake System Warning Light
................ 2.53. 4.7
Brakes
................................. 2.53. 4.7
Anti.Theft. Radio .............................. 3- 19 Appearancecare
............................... 6-45
Appearance Care Materials
....................... 6-53
Arbitration Program
.............................. 8-9
Audio Equipment. Adding
......... 2.15.2.16.3.22. 6.55
Audio Systems .................................. 3-6
Auto-Down Window
............................ 2-28
Automatic Transaxle Park Mechanism Check
......... 7-32
Automatic Light Control
......................... 2-37
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
........................ 6-19
Automatic Transaxle Operation
.................... 2-18
Shifting
..................................... 2-18
Ashtray
....................................... 2-43
Backing up with a Trailer
....................... 4-37
Battery
....................................... 6-30
Jump Starting ................................. 5-3
Replacement, Keyless Entry System ............... 2-8
Saver
...................................... 2-39
Warnings
.................................... 5-3
BBB Auto Line
................................. 8-9
Before Leaving on
a Long Trip .................... 4-21
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-9
Blizzard
...................................... 4-26
__.~ ... .......... ~- ~

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brake Adjustment
.................................. 6-29
Fluid
....................................... 6-26
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-26
Parking
..................................... 2-22
Pedal Travel
................................. 6-29
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-30
System Warning Light
.................... 2-52, 6-27
Trailer
...................................... 4-36
Transaxle Shift Interlock
.................. 2-25, 7-31
Transaxle Shift Interlock Check
.................. 7-3 1
Wear
....................................... 6-28
Brakes, Anti-Lock
.......................... 2-53, 4-7
Braking
........................................ 4-6
Braking
in Emergencies ........................... 4-9
Break-In, New Vehicle
.......................... 2- 13
BTSI
.................................... 2-25, 7-31
BTSICheck
................................... 7-31
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-3 1
Back-up Lamp
.............................. 6-34
Dome Lamp
................................. 6-36
Headlamps
.................................. 6-32
CHMSL
.................................... 6-33
Taillamp
.................................... 6-34
Canadian Roadside Assistance
.................... 8-7
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-62
Carbon Monoxide
............... 2.10.2.26.4.27. 4.35 Care
of Your
Compact Disc Player ................. 3-24
Care of Your Compact Discs
...................... 3-24
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-29
Cassette Tape Player
........................ 3.9, 3.18
Cassette Tape Player Care
........................ 3-22
CD Adapter Kit
................................ 3-13
CDPlayer
..................................... 3-14
CD Player Theft-Deterrent Feature
................. 3-19
Center Console Storage Area
...................... 2-42
Center High-Mounted Stop Lamp Bulb Replacement
... 6-33
Center Rear Passenger Position
.................... 1-32
Certification Label
.............................. 4-31
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-36
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-43
Changing a Flat Tire
............................. 5-22
Check Engine Light
............................. 2-55
Check Oil Light
........................... 2-58. 6-12
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-52
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-52
Child Restraints
................................ 1-37
Securing in a Rear Outside Seat Position
........... 1-42
Securing in the Center Rear Seat Position
.......... 1-44
Securing
in the Right Front Seat Position .......... 1-46
TopStrap
................................... 1-42
Wheretoput
................................ 1-41
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
....................... 6-56
Cleaner. Air
................................... 6-18

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Fuel .......................................... 6-3
FillingYourTank
.............................. 6-5
Gage
....................................... 2-60
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-5
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-56
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-54
Fuel
....................................... 2-60
GarmentHook
................................. 2-45
GAM
....................................... 4-31
Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle
................ 2- 18
GloveBox
.................................... 2-41
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-31
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-31
Guide en Francais
u
GVWR ....................................... 4-31
.. .................................
Halogen Bulbs ................................ 6-31
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-2
Head Restraints
................................. 1-5
Headlamps .................................... 2-36
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-32
High/Low Beam Changer
...................... 2-30
OnReminder
................................ 2-36
Wiring
..................................... 6-55
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance
.............. 8-4
Heating
........................................ 3-4
High-BeamHeadlamps
.......................... 2-30
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-22 HillandMountainRoads
......................... 4-22
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-35
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-8
Release
...................................... 6-8
Horn
......................................... 2-28
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-18
Ignition Positions
..............
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check ....
Illuminated Entryfixit ...........
Inflation. Tire ..................
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror .
Inspections ....................
Brake System ................
Exhaust Systems .............
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Boot . .
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Seal ...
Radiator and Heater Hose ......
Steering ....................
Suspension ..................
Throttle System ..............
Inspections. Engine Cooling System
Instrument Panel
...............
Cleaning ....................
Cluster .....................
Fuse Block ..................
Intensity Control .............
Interior Lamps .................
................ 2-13
................ 7-32
................ 2-38
................ 6-38
................ 2-39
................ 7-33
................ 7-34
................ 7-33
................ 7-33
................ 7-33
................ 7-33
................ 7-33
................ 7-33
................ 7-34
................ 7-33
................ 2-46
................ 6-48
................ 2-48
................ 6-56
................ 2-38
................ 2-38

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Periodic Maintenance Inspections ................ 7-33
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............. 7-35
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-4
Selecting the Right Schedule
..................... 7-4
Short Trip/City Definition ....................... 7-5
Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-52
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-40
Making Turns with a Trailer
...................... 4-37
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-55
Manual Front Seat
............................... 1-2
Manual Remote Control Mirror
.................... 2-40
Methanol
...................................... 6-4
Mirror Reading Lamps ........................... 2-39
Mirrors
....................................... 2-39
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-41
Inside Daymight Rearview
..................... 2-39
Manual Remote Control
........................ 2-40
Outside
..................................... 2-40
Power Remote Control
......................... 2-40
Visor Vanity ................................. 2-44
MountainRoads
................................ 4-22
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-29
Short Trip/City Intervals
........................ 7-5
Net. Convenience
.............................. 2-43
Neutral. Automatic Transaxle
..................... 2-20
New Vehicle “Break-In”
......................... 2- 13
Nightvision
................................... 4-15 Odometer
.................................... 2-49
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-49
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4-11
Oil. Engine .................................... 6-12
Oil Pressure Warning Light
....................... 2-57
Outside Mirror
................................. 2-40
Overheating Engine
............................. 5-12
Owner Checks and Services
....................... 7-29
Owner Publications. Ordering
..................... 8-12
Paint Spotting. Chemical
........................ 6-52
Park
Automatic Transaxle
.......................... 2-19
Shifting Into
................................. 2-23
Shifting Out of
............................... 2-25
At Night
.................................... 2-11
Brake ...................................... 2-22
Brake Mechanism Check
....................... 7-32
Lots
....................................... 2-12
Over Things That Burn
........................ 2-25
With a Trailer
................................ 4-39
Passenger Position
.............................. 1-20
Passing with a Trailer
............................ 4-37
Passlock
...................................... 2-12
Passlock Warning Light
.......................... 2-61
Periodic Maintenance Inspections .................. 7-33
Parking
Passing
....................................... 4-12
9-7
........... .... -~ ...... - ...