maintenance CHEVROLET MALIBU 1999 5.G User Guide

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Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter.
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.
CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter
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/filter off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner/filter 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/filter 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 the 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.
Change both the fluid and filter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:

In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90F (32C) or higher.

In hilly or mountainous terrain.

When doing frequent trailer towing.

Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not require changing.

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United States Canada
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. See ªBrake System Warning
Lightº in the Index.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT
-3 brake
fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed container only.
Refer to ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in the
Maintenance Schedule.
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.
CAUTION:
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.
NOTICE:

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.
NOTICE: (Continued)

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NOTICE: (Continued)

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 ªAppearance Careº 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 firmly).
CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won't work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly torque wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to GM specifications.
Your rear drum brakes don't have wear indicators, but if
you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear
brake linings inspected immediately. Also, the rear
brake drums should be removed and inspected each time
the tires are removed for rotation or changing. When
you have the front brake pads replaced, have the rear
brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See ªBrake System Inspectionº in Section 7 of this manual
under Part C ªPeriodic Maintenance Inspections.º

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NOTICE: (Continued)
If your tires have too much air (overinflation),
you can get the following:

Unusual wear

Bad handling

Rough ride

Needless damage from road hazards.
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 kPa).
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 (10 000 to
13 000 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 ªWhen It's Time for
New Tiresº and ªWheel Replacementº 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 ªScheduled
Maintenance Servicesº in the Index for scheduled
rotation intervals.
When rotating your tires, always use the correct rotation
pattern shown here.

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Cleaning Tires
To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with a tire cleaner.
NOTICE:
When applying a tire dressing always take care to
wipe off any overspray or splash from all painted
surfaces on the body or wheels of the vehicle.
Petroleum
-based products may damage the paint
finish and tires.
Sheet Metal Damage
If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal repair
or replacement, make sure the body repair shop applies
anti
-corrosion material to the parts repaired or replaced to
restore corrosion protection.
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 serviceoutlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer's body and paint shop.
Underbody 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 fuel 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.

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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 dealer.
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts
Air Cleaner Element
2.4L L4 Engine AC Type A
-1279C . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3100 V6 Engine AC Type A
-1279C . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Oil Filter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.4L L4 Engine AC Type PF
-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3100 V6 Engine AC Type PF
-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark Plugs
2.4L L4 Engine AC Type
41
-942 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Platinum Plug) Gap: 0.050 inch (1.27 mm)
3100 V6 Engine AC Type
41
-940 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Platinum Plug) Gap: 0.060 inch (1.52 mm)
Windshield Wiper Blades
Passenger's Side 19.0 inches (48.0 cm). . . . . . . . . . . .
Driver's Side 22.0 inches (56.0 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle Dimensions
Length 190.4 inches (483.7 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Width 69.4 inches (176.3 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Height 56.4 inches (143.2 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheelbase 107.0 inches (271.9 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Tread 59.0 inches (149.9 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Tread 59.3 inches (150.5 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7-
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Section 7 Maintenance Schedule
This section covers the maintenance required for your vehicle. Your vehicle needs these services to retain its safety,
dependability and emission control performance.
7
-2 Introduction
7
-4 Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services
7
-7 Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
7
-19 Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance7
-27 Part B: Owner Checks and Services
7
-31 Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections
7
-33 Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
7
-34 Part E: Maintenance Record

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Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet, or your dealer
for details.
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.

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7-3 How This Section is Organized
This maintenance schedule is divided into five parts:
ªPart A: Scheduled Maintenance Servicesº 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.
CAUTION:
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. See ªService and Owner Publicationsº in
the Index.ªPart B: Owner Checks and Servicesº tells you
what should be checked and when. It also explains what
you can easily do to help keep your vehicle in
good condition.
ªPart C: Periodic Maintenance Inspectionsº
explains important inspections that your dealer's service
department or another qualified service center
should perform.
ªPart D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricantsº
lists some recommended products 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.
ªPart E: Maintenance Recordº 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.

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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
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may need more
frequent checks and replacements. So please read the
following and note how you drive. If you have any
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good
condition, see your 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 ªLoading Your
Vehicleº in the Index.

are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.

use the recommended fuel. See ªFuelº 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: