CHEVROLET MALIBU 2006 6.G Owners Manual

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22.
B. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
D. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeCooling System on
page 5-32.E. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 5-39.
F. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-42.
G. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 5-102.
H. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-38.
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When you open the hood on the 3.5L V6 engine, here is what you will see:
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A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22.
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
C. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
D. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeCooling System on
page 5-32.E. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 5-39.
F. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-42.
G. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 5-102.
H. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-38.
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When you open the hood on the 3.9L V6 engine, here is what you will see:
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A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22.
B. Engine Coolant Bleed Valve.
C. Power Steering Fluid. SeePower Steering Fluid
(3.9L V6 Engine) on page 5-36.
D. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick (Out of View).
See “Checking Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid (2.2L L4 and 3.5L V6 Engines) on
page 5-23orAutomatic Transaxle Fluid (3.9L
V6 Engine) on page 5-24.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
F. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
G. Engine Coolant Reservoir. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-26.
H. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 5-39.
I. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-42.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-38.
K. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 5-102.Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down and check the level.
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When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the MIN mark for the L4 engine or below
the cross-hatched area at the tip of the dipstick for the
V6 engine, you will need to add at least one quart/liter of
oil. But you must use the right kind. This section explains
what kind of oil to use. For engine oil crankcase capacity,
seeCapacities and Specications on page 5-107.Notice:Do not add too much oil. If your engine has
so much oil that the oil level gets above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine
oil ll cap.
Be sure to add enough oil to put the level somewhere
in the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all
the way back in when you are through. L4 Engine
V6 Engine
5-18

What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for two things:
GM6094M
Your vehicle’s engine requires oil meeting GM
Standard GM6094M. You should look for and use
only an oil that meets GM Standard GM6094M.
SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is best
for your vehicle.These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity
oils such as SAE 20W-50.
Oils meeting these
requirements should also
have the starburst symbol
on the container. This
symbol indicates that the oil
has been certied by the
American Petroleum
Institute (API).
You should look for this information on the oil container,
and useonlythose oils that are identied as meeting
GM Standard GM6094M and have the starburst symbol
on the front of the oil container.
Notice:Use only engine oil identied as meeting
GM Standard GM6094M and showing the American
Petroleum Institute Certied For Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. Failure to use the recommended
oil can result in engine damage not covered by
your warranty.
GM Goodwrench®oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
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If you are in an area of extreme cold, where
the temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard
GM6094M are all you will need for good performance
and engine protection.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and lter. This is based
on engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not
on mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage
at which an oil change will be indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work properly,
you must reset the system every time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has
been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A Change Oil Soon message will come on.
Change your oil as soon as possible within the next
600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible that, if you are
driving under the best conditions, the oil life system may
not indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a
year. However, your engine oil and lter must be
changed at least once a year and at this time the system
must be reset. Your dealer has GM-trained service
people who will perform this work using genuine GM
parts and reset the system. It is also important to check
your oil regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must change
your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your last oil
change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed.
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How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to change
your engine oil and lter based on vehicle use. Anytime
your oil is changed, reset the system so it can calculate
when the next oil change is required. If a situation occurs
where you change your oil prior to a Change Oil Soon
message being turned on, reset the system.
After changing the engine oil, reset the system by
performing the following steps:
1. Display OIL LIFE RESET on the DIC.
2. Press and hold the ENTER button for at least
one second. An ACKNOWLEDGED display
message will appear for three seconds or until
the next button is pressed. This will tell you
the system has been reset.
3. Turn the key to OFF.
If the Change Oil Soon message comes back on when
you start your vehicle, the engine oil life system has
not reset. Repeat the procedure.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good
hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of clothing or
rags containing used engine oil. See the manufacturer’s
warnings about the use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
lter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it in
the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by taking it
to a place that collects used oil. If you have a problem
properly disposing of your used oil, ask your dealer, a
service station or a local recycling center for help.
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Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine air cleaner/lter.
When to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at the MaintenanceII
intervals and replace it at the rst oil change after each
50,000 mile (83 000 km) interval. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4for more information. If you
are driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the lter
at each engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter, remove the lter from the
vehicle and lightly shake the lter to release loose dust
and dirt. If the lter remains caked with dirt, a new lter is
required.To inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/lter, do the
following:
1. Remove the screws that hold the cover on.
2. Disconnect the electrical connector.
3. Lift off the cover.
4. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/lter.
5. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to reinstall the cover and
reconnect the electrical connector.
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