cooling CHEVROLET MALIBU 2000 5.G User Guide

5-14
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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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, drinkable water and
DEX
-COOL
coolant.
NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
So use the recommended coolant.
CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don't spill coolant on a hot engine.

5-15
1. You can remove the coolant surge tank pressure cap
when the cooling system, including the coolant surge
tank pressure cap and upper radiator hose, is no
longer hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise (left) about two or two and
one
-half turns. If you hear a hiss, wait for that to
stop. This will allow any pressure still left to be
vented out the discharge hose.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap slowly, and
remove it.

5-16
3. Then fill the coolant surge tank with the proper
mixture, to the FULL COLD mark or slightly higher.4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until you can feel the upper
radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the engine
cooling fans.
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper mixture to the coolant surge tank
until the level reaches the FULL COLD mark or
slightly higher.

5-17
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the pressure
cap is hand
-tight.
Check the level in the surge tank when the cooling
system has cooled down. If the coolant isn't at the
proper level, repeat Steps 1 to 3 and reinstall the
pressure cap or see your dealer.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It's unusual for a tire to ªblow outº while you're driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it's much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a ªblowout,º here are a
few tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake
to a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like
a skid and may require the same correction you'd use
in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop
-- well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.

6-18
NOTICE:
We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON-III, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than
DEXRON
-III is not covered by your new
vehicle warranty.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
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 first, if you add only
DEX
-COOL 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 ªEngine Overheatingº in
the Index.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX
-COOL coolant will:

Give freezing protection down to
-34F (-37C).

Give boiling protection up to 265F (129C).

Protect against rust and corrosion.

Help keep the proper engine temperature.

Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you
use only DEX
-COOL (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the
use of coolant other than DEX
-COOL is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.

6-19 What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one
-half DEX-COOL
coolant which won't damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you
don't need to add anything else.
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, drinkable 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.

6-43
CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous.
It could affect the braking and handling of your
vehicle, make your tires lose air and make you
lose control. You could have a collision in which
you or others could be injured. Always use the
correct wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts
for replacement.
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire
chain clearance to the body and chassis.
See ªChanging a Flat Tireº in the Index for
more information.Used Replacement Wheels
CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can't know how it's been used or
how far it's been driven. It could fail suddenly
and cause an accident. If you have to replace a
wheel, use a new GM original equipment wheel.

6-58
Fuse Usage
Maxi
-Fuses
1 Ignition Switch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2 Right Electrical Center
-Fog Lamps, Radio, . . . . . .
Body Function Control Module, Interior LampsFuse Usage
Maxi
-Fuses
3 Left Electrical Center
-Stoplamps, . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hazard Lamps, Body Function Control Module,
Cluster, Climate Control System
4 Anti
-Lock Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5 Ignition Switch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6 A.I.R.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7 Left Electrical Center
-Power Seats, . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power Mirrors, Door Locks, Trunk Release
and Remote Lock Control
8 Cooling Fan #1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mini
-Relays
9 Rear Defog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10 A.I.R.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11 Not Used. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12 Cooling Fan #1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13 HVAC Blower (Climate Control). . . . . . . . . . . . .
14 Cooling Fan #2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15 Cooling Fan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6-59
Micro-Relays
16 Air Conditioning Compressor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17 Not Used. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18 Fuel Pump. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19 Automatic Light Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20 Automatic Light Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21 Horn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22 Daytime Running Lamps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mini
-Fuses
23
- 32 Spare Fuse Holder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
33 Rear Defog. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
34 Accessory Power Outlets, Cigar Lighter. . . . . . .
35 Generator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
36 Not Used. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
37 Air Conditioning Compressor, Body . . . . . . . . . .
Function Control Module
38 Automatic Transaxle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
39 Powertrain Control Module, Ignition. . . . . . . . . .
40 Anti
-Lock Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
41 Ignition System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
42 Back
-Up Lamps, Brake Transaxle . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shift Interlock ControlMini
-Fuses
43 Horn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
44 Powertrain Control Module. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
45 Parking Lamps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
46 Climate Control System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
47 Canister Purge Valve, Powertrain. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Control Module, Exhaust Gas Recirculation,
Heated O
2 Sensor
48 Fuel Pump Injectors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
49 Not Used. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
50 Right Headlamp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
51 Left Headlamp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
52 Cooling Fan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
53 HVAC Blower (Climate Control ). . . . . . . . . . . .
54 Not Used. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
55 Cooling Fan #2 Ground. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
56 Fuse Puller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
57 Not Used. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6-60
Replacement Bulbs
Exterior Lamps Bulb
High
-Beam Headlamp 9005. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Low
-Beam Headlamp 9006. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Park/Turn 3157 NA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Sidemarker 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Back
-Up/Rear Turn 3156. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Center
- Mounted High Level Stoplamp
(Interior Mounted) 912. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tail/Stoplamp 3057. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior Lamps Bulb
Dome 561 *. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glovebox 194 *. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
For service on these bulbs, contact your Chevrolet
dealer service department.
Capacities and Specifications
Engine Specifications
VIN Engine Code J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Type V6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Displacement 3.1 Liters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Firing Order 1
-2-3-4-5-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Horsepower 170. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel Nut Torque100 lb
-ft (140 N´m) . . . . . . . . . .
Cooling System13.6 quarts (12.9 L) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Crankcase4.5 quarts (4.3 L) . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel Tank14.3 gallons (54.1 L) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Refrigerant, Air ConditioningSee refrigerant . . . . .
charge label under the hood.
Tire Pressures, SizesSee Tire
-Loading . . . . . . . . . . .
Information label on the rear driver's
side passenger door.
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill
to the appropriate level or as recommended in this manual.
See ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index.