oil CHEVROLET MALIBU 2007 6.G User Guide

Radio Messages
CALIBRATE:The audio system has been
calibrated for your vehicle from the factory.
If CALIBRATE displays, it means that the
radio has not been congured properly for
your vehicle and must be returned to your
dealer/retailer for service.
LOCKED:This message displays when the
THEFTLOCK
®system has locked up. Take the
vehicle to your dealer/retailer for service.
If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error
cannot be corrected, contact your dealer/retailer.
Playing a CD
Insert a CD partway into the slot, label side up.
The player pulls it in and the CD should begin
playing. If you want to insert a CD with the
ignition off, rst press the eject button or the
DISP knob.
As each new track starts to play, the track
number displays.If the ignition or radio is turned off with a CD
in the player, it stays in the player. When
the ignition or radio is turned on, the CD starts
playing, where it stopped, if it was the last
selected audio source.
The CD player can play the smaller 3 inch (8 cm)
single CDs with an adapter ring. Full-size CDs
and the smaller CDs are loaded in the same
manner.
If playing a CD-R, the sound quality can be
reduced due to CD-R quality, the method of
recording, the quality of the music that has been
recorded, and the way the CD-R has been
handled. There can be an increase in skipping,
difficulty in nding tracks, and/or difficulty in
loading and ejecting. If these problems occur,
check the bottom surface of the CD. If the surface
of the CD is damaged, such as cracked, broken,
or scratched, the CD will not play properly.
If the surface of the CD is soiled, seeCare of
Your CDs and DVDs on page 285for more
information.
If there is no apparent damage, try a known
good CD.
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As each new track starts to play, the track
number displays.
If the ignition or radio is turned off with a CD
in the player, it stays in the player. When
the ignition or radio is turned on, the CD starts
playing, where it stopped, if it was the last
selected audio source.
The CD player can play the smaller 3 inch (8 cm)
single CDs with an adapter ring. Full-size CDs
and the smaller CDs are loaded in the same
manner.
If playing a CD-R, the sound quality can be
reduced due to CD-R quality, the method of
recording, the quality of the music that has
been recorded, and the way the CD-R has been
handled. There can be an increase in skipping,
difficulty in nding tracks, and/or difficulty in loading
and ejecting. If these problems occur, check
the bottom surface of the CD. If the surface of
the CD is damaged, such as cracked, broken,
or scratched, the CD does not play properly.
If the surface of the CD is soiled, seeCare of
Your CDs and DVDs on page 285for more
information.If there is no apparent damage, try a known
good CD.
Do not add any label to a CD, it could get caught
in the CD player. If a CD is recorded on a
personal computer and a description label is
needed, try labeling the top of the recorded CD
with a marking pen.
Notice:If a label is added to a CD, or more
than one CD is inserted into the slot at a time,
or an attempt is made to play scratched
or damaged CDs, the CD player could be
damaged. While using the CD player, use
only CDs in good condition without any label,
load one CD at a time, and keep the CD
player and the loading slot free of foreign
materials, liquids, and debris.
If an error displays, see “CD Messages” later in
this section.
s(Reverse):Press and hold thesbutton
to reverse quickly within a track. You will
hear sound at a reduced volume. Release the
sbutton to play the passage. The elapsed
time of the track displays.
243

When a CD is inserted, the CD symbol displays
on the CD. As each new track starts to play,
the track number also displays.
The CD player can play the smaller 3 inch (8 cm)
single CDs with an adapter ring. Full-size CDs and
the smaller CDs are loaded in the same manner.
If playing a CD-R, the sound quality can be
reduced due to CD-R quality, the method of
recording, the quality of the music that has
been recorded, and the way the CD-R has been
handled. There can be an increase in skipping,
difficulty in nding tracks, and/or difficulty in
loading and ejecting. If these problems occur,
check the bottom surface of the CD. If the surface
of the CD is damaged, such as cracked, broken,
or scratched, the CD does not play properly.
If the surface of the CD is soiled, seeCare of Your
CDs and DVDs on page 285for more information.
If there is no apparent damage, try a known
good CD.
Do not add any label to a CD, it could get
caught in the CD player. If a CD is recorded
on a personal computer and a description label
is needed, try labeling the top of the recorded
CD with a marking pen.Notice:If a label is added to a CD, or more
than one CD is inserted into the slot at a time,
or an attempt is made to play scratched
or damaged CDs, the CD player could be
damaged. While using the CD player, use
only CDs in good condition without any label,
load one CD at a time, and keep the CD
player and the loading slot free of foreign
materials, liquids, and debris.
If an error displays, see “CD Messages” later
in this section.
LOAD:Press the LOAD button to load CDs into
the CD player. This CD player holds up to six CDs.
To insert one CD, do the following:
1. Turn the ignition on.
2. Press and release the LOAD button.
3. Wait for INSERT CD to ash on the display.
4. Load a CD. Insert the CD partway into the slot,
label side up. The player pulls the CD in.
253

Care of Your CDs and DVDs
Handle CDs carefully. Store them in their original
cases or other protective cases and away from
direct sunlight and dust. The CD player scans
the bottom surface of the disc. If the surface
of a CD is damaged, such as cracked, broken,
or scratched, the CD does not play properly or
not at all. If the surface of a CD is soiled, take
a soft, lint free cloth or dampen a clean, soft cloth
in a mild, neutral detergent solution mixed with
water, and clean it. Make sure the wiping process
starts from the center to the edge.
Do not touch the bottom side of a CD while
handling it; this could damage the surface.
Pick up CDs by grasping the outer edges or
the edge of the hole and the outer edge.
Care of the CD and DVD Player
The use of CD lens cleaners for CDs is not
advised, due to the risk of contaminating the
lens of the CD optics with lubricants internal to
the CD mechanism.
Fixed Mast Antenna (MAXX Only)
The xed mast antenna can withstand most
car washes without being damaged. If the mast
should ever become slightly bent, straighten it out
by hand. If the mast is badly bent, replace it.
Check occasionally to make sure the mast is still
tightened to the rear quarter panel.
285

A cornering skid and an acceleration skid are best
handled by easing your foot off the accelerator
pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off
the accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way
you want the vehicle to go. If you start steering
quickly enough, your vehicle may straighten out.
Always be ready for a second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow,
ice, gravel, or other material is on the road.
For safety, you will want to slow down and adjust
your driving to these conditions. It is important
to slow down on slippery surfaces because
stopping distance will be longer and vehicle
control more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction,
try your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by
shifting to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could
cause the tires to slide. You may not realize the
surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding.
Learn to recognize warning clues — such as
enough water, ice, or packed snow on the road to
make a mirrored surface — and slow down when
you have any doubt.If you have the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS),
remember: It helps avoid only the braking skid.
If you do not have ABS, then in a braking
skid, where the wheels are no longer rolling,
release enough pressure on the brakes to get
the wheels rolling again. This restores steering
control. Push the brake pedal down steadily
when you have to stop suddenly. As long as the
wheels are rolling, you will have steering control.
Competitive Driving
See your warranty book before using your vehicle
for competitive driving. After reviewing your
warranty book, please see the GM Performance
Parts website or catalog for parts and equipment
required for competitive driving.
Notice:If you use your vehicle for competitive
driving, the engine may use more oil than it
would with normal use. Low oil levels can
damage the engine. Be sure to check the oil
level often during competitive driving and
keep the level at or near the upper mark that
shows the proper operating range on the
engine oil dipstick. For information on how
to add oil, seeEngine Oil on page 359.
305

Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir
full? Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you
checked all levels?
Lamps:Are they all working? Are the
lenses clean?
Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough
for long-distance driving? Are the tires
all inated to the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is the weather
outlook along your route? Should you
delay your trip a short time to avoid a major
storm system?
Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as highway
hypnosis? Or is it just plain falling asleep
at the wheel? Call it highway hypnosis, lack of
awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of
road with the same scenery, along with the
hum of the tires on the road, the drone of the
engine, and the rush of the wind against the
vehicle that can make you sleepy. Do not let it
happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave
the road in less than a second, and you could
crash and be injured.
314

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the
pedal down while you:
start your engine,
shift into a gear, and
release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear
of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and
store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when
you’re pulling a trailer. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic
transmission uid (don’t overll), engine oil,
drive belt, cooling system and brake system.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and
the Index will help you nd them quickly.
If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to review
this information before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts
and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat
during severe operating conditions. See
Engine Overheating on page 371.
340

Service........................................................ 344
Accessories and Modications................... 344
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 345
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 345
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 346
Fuel............................................................. 346
Gasoline Octane........................................ 346
Gasoline Specications.............................. 347
California Fuel........................................... 347
Additives................................................... 347
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 348
Filling the Tank......................................... 349
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 351
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 352
Hood Release........................................... 352
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 354
Engine Oil................................................. 359
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 362
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 364
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
(2.2L L4 and 3.5L V6 Engines).............. 365Automatic Transaxle Fluid
(3.9L V6 Engine).................................... 366
Engine Coolant.......................................... 368
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap............ 371
Engine Overheating................................... 371
Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode (3.5L V6 and 3.9L V6 Engines).... 373
Cooling System......................................... 374
Power Steering Fluid................................. 379
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 380
Brakes...................................................... 381
Battery...................................................... 384
Jump Starting............................................ 385
Bulb Replacement....................................... 389
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 389
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and
Parking Lamps....................................... 390
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps
and Back-up Lamps............................... 392
License Plate Lamp................................... 393
Replacement Bulbs................................... 394
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 394
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
341

Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers
and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may
be available in your area. General Motors
recommends that you use these gasolines if they
comply with the specications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels
containing more than 10% ethanol must not be
used in vehicles that were not designed for
those fuels.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for
fuel that contains methanol. Do not use
fuel containing methanol. It can corrode metal
parts in the fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage would
not be covered under your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant where you
buy gasoline whether the fuel contains MMT.
General Motors recommends against the use of
such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can reduce
the life of spark plugs and the performance of
the emission control system may be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp may turn on. If this
occurs, return to your dealer for service.Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside
the United States or Canada, the proper fuel might
be hard to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or
any other fuel not recommended in the previous
text on fuel. Costly repairs caused by use of
improper fuel would not be covered by your
warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business
in the country where you will be driving.
348

Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up
and injure you even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine
parts and start a re. These include
liquids like fuel, oil, coolant, brake uid,
windshield washer and other uids, and
plastic or rubber. You or others could be
burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto a hot engine.
Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the hood
release handle with
this symbol on it.
It is located
inside the vehicle to
the left of the
steering column.
352