coolant level CHEVROLET MALIBU 2007 6.G Owners Manual

Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light........................................ 209
Traction Control System Active Light......... 209
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light.... 210
Enhanced Traction System Active Light....... 210
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light........................................ 211
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage............ 211
Malfunction Indicator Lamp........................ 212
Oil Pressure Light..................................... 215
Security Light............................................ 216
Cruise Control Light.................................. 216
Highbeam On Light................................... 216
Fuel Gage................................................. 217
Driver Information Center (DIC).................. 218
DIC Operation and Displays...................... 218
DIC Warnings and Messages.................... 222
DIC Vehicle Personalization....................... 225
Audio System(s)......................................... 228
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS).................... 229
Setting the Time for Radios with
Radio Data Systems (RDS).................... 230Radio with CD (Base Level)...................... 230
Radio with CD (Uplevel)............................ 236
Radio with Six-Disc CD............................. 246
XM Radio Messages................................. 259
Rear Seat Entertainment System............... 261
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)
(Without Entertainment System)............. 278
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)
(With Entertainment System).................. 280
Theft-Deterrent Feature............................. 281
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
(Three Spoke)........................................ 282
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
(Four Spoke).......................................... 283
Radio Reception........................................ 284
Care of Your CDs and DVDs.................... 285
Care of the CD and DVD Player............... 285
Fixed Mast Antenna (MAXX Only)............. 285
Backglass Antenna (Sedan Only).............. 286
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System....... 286
Section 3 Instrument Panel
166

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 364.
B. Engine Coolant Bleed Valve. SeeCooling
System on page 374
C. Power Steering Fluid. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 379.
D. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick (Out of
View). See “Checking Fluid Level” under
Automatic Transaxle Fluid (2.2L L4 and
3.5L V6 Engines) on page 365orAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid (3.9L V6 Engine) on page 366.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 359.
F. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 359.
G. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeCooling
System on page 374.
H. Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap. See
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 371
I. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 381.
J. Battery. SeeBattery on page 384.K. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 380.
L. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 449.
Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the 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.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 354
for 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.
359

How to Add Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
what kind of transaxle uid to use. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 468.
If the uid level is low, add only enough of the
proper uid to bring the level into the crosshatched
area on the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough uid at
the dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It does not take much uid, generally less
than one pint (0.5 L). Do not overll.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic
transaxle uid may damage your vehicle, and
the damages may not be covered by your
warranty. Always use the automatic transaxle
uid listed inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 468.
3. After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check Automatic
Transaxle Fluid,” earlier in this section.
4. When the correct uid level is obtained, push
the dipstick back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in your vehicle for ve years or
150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs
rst, if you add only DEX-COOL
®extended
life coolant.
The following explains the cooling system and
how to add coolant when it is low. If there is
a problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 371.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to
−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
368

{CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when
the engine and radiator are hot can allow
steam and scalding liquids to blow out
and burn you badly. Never turn the surge
tank pressure cap — even a little — when
the engine and radiator are hot.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When the
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the FULL COLD mark or slightly higher.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture at the surge tank,
but only when the engine is cool. If the surge tank
is empty, a special ll procedure is necessary.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 371andCooling
System on page 374.
{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. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is
hand-tight and fully seated.
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and possible engine
damage may occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
Engine Overheating
You will nd an engine coolant temperature gage as
well as an engine coolant temperature warning light
on your vehicle’s instrument panel cluster. See
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage on page 211
andEngine Coolant Temperature Warning Light on
page 211.
371

Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is
what you will see:
A. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
B. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
C. Pressure Cap{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the
hood can start up even when the engine
is not running and can injure you. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on a level surface.
3.5L V6 Engine shown, 2.2L L4 and 3.9L V6 Engines
similar
374

The coolant level should be at or above the FULL
COLD mark on the front of the coolant surge
tank. If it is not, you may have a leak at the
pressure cap or in the radiator hoses, heater
hoses, radiator, water pump, or somewhere else
in the cooling system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other
engine parts, can be very hot. Do not
touch them. If you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak.
If you run the engine, it could lose all
coolant. That could cause an engine re,
and you could be burned. Get any leak
xed before you drive the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on,
check to see if the electric engine cooling fans
are running. If the engine is overheating, both fans
should be running. If they are not, your vehicle
needs service.Notice:Engine damage from running your
engine without coolant is not covered by your
warranty.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core, or
radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant could require changing sooner, at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your
vehicle.
375

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
Notice:This vehicle has a specic coolant ll
procedure. Failure to follow this procedure
could cause your engine to overheat and
be severely damaged.
If you have not found a problem yet, check to see
if coolant is visible in the surge tank. If coolant
is visible but the coolant level is not at or above
the FULL COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant at
the coolant surge tank, but be sure the cooling
system, including the coolant surge tank pressure
cap, is cool before you do it. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 368for more information.If no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add
coolant as follows:
{CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot
cooling system can blow out and burn
you badly. They are under pressure, and if
you turn the coolant surge tank pressure
cap — even a little — they can come out at
high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap, is hot. Wait for
the cooling system and coolant surge
tank pressure cap to cool if you ever have
to turn the pressure cap.
376

2. Then keep turning the pressure cap slowly,
and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper
mixture, to the FULL COLD mark on the
front of the surge tank. Wait about
ve minutes, then check to see if the level
is below the FULL COLD mark. If the level is
below the FULL COLD mark, add additional
coolant to bring the level up to the mark.
Repeat this procedure until the level remains
constant at the FULL COLD mark for at
least ve minutes.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 than the FULL COLD mark, add
more of the proper mixture to the coolant
surge tank until the level reaches the
FULL COLD mark.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
See your dealer, if necessary.
378

Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and lter. SeeEngine Oil on page 359. Reset oil life system.
SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 362.An Emission Control Service.••
Visually check for any leaks or damage.See footnote (j).••
Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace lter. SeeEngine
Air Cleaner/Filter on page 364.See footnote (k).•
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 408and “Tire Wear Inspection” inAt Least Once a Month
on page 465.••
Inspect brake system.See footnote (a).••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels and add uid
as needed.••
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services”
in this section.••
Inspect suspension and steering components.See footnote (b).•
Inspect engine cooling system.See footnote (c).•
Inspect wiper blades.See footnote (d).•
Inspect restraint system components.See footnote (e).•
Lubricate body components.See footnote (f).•
3.9L Engine Only: Check automatic transmission uid level and add uid
as needed.•
Inspect throttle system.See footnote (g).•
461

(h)Change automatic transmission uid and lter
if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C)
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 uid and lter do not require
changing.
(i)Drain, ush, and rell cooling system. This
service can be complex; you should have
your dealer/retailer perform this service. See
Engine Coolant on page 368 for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap, and ller neck. Pressure test the cooling
system and pressure cap.
(j)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate
a problem. Have the system inspected and repaired
and the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.(k)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions,
inspect the lter at each engine oil change.
(l)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive
cracks, or obvious damage. Replace belt if
necessary.
Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be
performed at the intervals specied to help
ensure the safety, dependability, and emission
control performance of your vehicle. Your
GM Goodwrench
®dealer can assist you with
these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at
once. Whenever any uids or lubricants are added
to your vehicle, make sure they are the proper
ones, as shown inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 468.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks
at each fuel ll.
464