maintenance CHEVROLET MALIBU 2007 6.G Owners Manual

Service and Appearance Care
.................. 341
Service
................................................. 344
Fuel
...................................................... 346
Checking Things Under the Hood
......... 352
Bulb Replacement
................................ 389
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.... 394
Tires
..................................................... 397
Appearance Care
.................................. 435
Vehicle Identication
............................. 444
Electrical System
.................................. 445
Capacities and Specications
................ 454Maintenance Schedule
.............................. 457
Maintenance Schedule
.......................... 458
Customer Assistance Information
............. 475
Customer Assistance and Information
..... 476
Reporting Safety Defects
...................... 491
Index
.......................................................... 495
2

Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how your vehicle should be
serviced. There are parts of the airbag system
in several places around your vehicle. You do not
want the system to inate while someone is
working on your vehicle. Your dealer and the
service manual have information about servicing
your vehicle and the airbag system. To purchase
a service manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 492.
{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds, after the ignition is
turned off and the battery is disconnected,
an airbag can still inate during improper
service. You can be injured if you are
close to an airbag when it inates. Avoid
yellow connectors. They are probably part
of the airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and make sure
the person performing work for you is
qualied to do so.
The airbag system does not need regular
maintenance.
88

Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder
light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates,
retractors, and anchorages are working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged safety
belt system parts. If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have
it repaired. SeeCare of Safety Belts on page 439
for more information.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in
a crash. They can rip apart under impact forces.
If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken airbag
covers, and have them repaired or replaced. The
airbag system does not need regular maintenance.Notice:If you damage the covering for the
driver’s or the right front passenger’s airbag,
or the airbag covering on the driver’s and
right front passenger’s seatback (if equipped),
or the side impact airbag covering on the
garnish trim and ceiling near the side windows
(if equipped), the airbag may not work
properly. You may have to replace the airbag
module in the steering wheel, both the
airbag module and the instrument panel for
the right front passenger’s airbag, the airbag
module and seatback for the driver’s and
right front passenger’s seat-mounted side
impact airbags (if equipped), or the side
impact airbag module, garnish trim and ceiling
covering for the roof-mounted side impact
airbags (if equipped). Do not open or break
the airbag coverings.
90

Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle has
a computer which
monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition,
and emission control
systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended
to assure that emissions are at acceptable
levels for the life of the vehicle, helping to produce
a cleaner environment. The check engine light
comes on to indicate that there is a problem and
service is required. Malfunctions often will be
indicated by the system before any problem is
apparent. This may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle. This system is also designed
to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing any malfunction.Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with
this light on, after awhile, the emission controls
might not work as well, your vehicle’s fuel
economy might not be as good, and the engine
might not run as smoothly. This could lead
to costly repairs that might not be covered by
your warranty.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transaxle, exhaust, intake, or fuel system
of your vehicle or the replacement of the
original tires with other than those of the same
Tire Performance Criteria (TPC) can affect
your vehicle’s emission controls and may
cause this light to come on. Modications to
these systems could lead to costly repairs not
covered by your warranty. This may also
result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 344.
212

Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The
condition will usually be corrected when the
electrical system dries out. A few driving trips
should turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 346. Poor fuel
quality will cause your engine not to run as
efficiently as designed. You may notice this as
stalling after start-up, stalling when you put
the vehicle into gear, misring, hesitation on
acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration.
(These conditions may go away once the engine
is warmed up.) This will be detected by the
system and cause the light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require
at least one full tank of the proper fuel to turn
the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light
turn off, your dealer can check the vehicle.
Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to x any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have
or may begin programs to inspect the emission
control equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass
this inspection could prevent you from getting a
vehicle registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
check engine light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if
the OBD (on-board diagnostic) system determines
that critical emission control systems have not
been completely diagnosed by the system.
The vehicle would be considered not ready for
inspection. This can happen if you have recently
replaced your battery or if your battery has
run down. The diagnostic system is designed
to evaluate critical emission control systems
during normal driving. This may take several
days of routine driving. If you have done this and
your vehicle still does not pass the inspection
for lack of OBD system readiness, your dealer
can prepare the vehicle for inspection.
214

Oil Pressure Light
If your vehicle has low
engine oil pressure,
this light will stay on after
you start your engine,
or come on and you
will hear a chime when
you are driving.
This indicates that your engine is not receiving
enough oil. The engine could be low on oil,
or could have some other oil problem.
Have it xed immediately.
This light will come on briey when you turn
on the ignition as a check to show you it is
working. If it does not come on with the ignition
on, you may have a problem with the bulb.
Have it xed right away.{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is
low. If you do, your engine can become
so hot that it catches re. You or others
could be burned. Check your oil as
soon as possible and have your vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
may damage the engine. The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Always follow
the maintenance schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.
215

AV (Average) SPEED:Press the information
button until AV SPEED is displayed. This shows
the vehicle’s average speed in miles per hour (mph)
or kilometers per hour (km/h).
Press and hold the enter button while AV SPEED
is displayed to reset the average vehicle speed.
OIL LIFE:Press the information button until
OIL LIFE is displayed. The engine oil life system
shows an estimate of the oil’s remaining useful life.
It shows 100% when the system is reset after
an oil change. It will alert you to change the oil on
a schedule consistent with your driving conditions.
Always reset the engine oil life system after
an oil change. SeeEngine Oil Life System
on page 362.
In addition to the engine oil life system monitoring
the oil life, additional maintenance is recommended
in the Maintenance Schedule in this manual.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 460and
Engine Oil on page 359.Personalization
MENU:Press this button while the ignition is ON
to scroll through each of the personalization options
in the following order. To avoid excessive drain on
the battery, it is recommended that the headlamps
are turned off. If the vehicle is moving faster than
2 mph (3 km/h), the personalization menu options
are not available, except for the UNITS option.
All of the personalization options may not be
available on your vehicle. Only the options
available display on the DIC.
Oil Life Reset
Units Selection (English/Metric)
Remote Start Capability
Horn Chirp During Remote Keyless
Entry Locking
Horn Chirp During Remote Keyless
Entry Unlocking
220

DIC Warnings and Messages
These messages appear if there is a problem
detected in one of your vehicle’s systems.
A message will clear when that condition is no
longer present on the vehicle. To acknowledge a
message and clear it from the display, press
any of the three DIC buttons. If the condition is
still present, the warning message will come back
on the next time the vehicle is turned off and
back on. With most messages, a warning chime
sounds when the message displays. Your
vehicle may have other warning messages.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS OFF:This message
displays if the automatic headlamp system is
disabled with the headlamp switch.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS ON:This message
displays if the automatic headlamp system is
enabled with the headlamp switch.BRAKE FLUID:This message displays to
inform the driver that the brake uid level is low
while the ignition is in ON. The brake system
warning light on the instrument panel cluster
also comes on. SeeBrake System Warning Light
on page 206for more information. Have the
brake system serviced by your dealer/retailer
as soon as possible.
CHANGE OIL SOON:This message displays
when the life of the engine oil has expired and it
should be changed.
When you acknowledge the CHANGE OIL SOON
message by clearing it from the display, you still
must reset the engine oil life system separately.
SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 362,Engine
Oil on page 359, andScheduled Maintenance
on page 460for more information.
222

Steering
Electric Power Steering
If your vehicle has the electric power steering
system and the engine stalls while you are driving,
the power steering assist system will continue to
operate until you are able to stop your vehicle. If
you lose power steering assist because the electric
power steering system is not functioning, you can
steer, but it will take more effort.
If you turn the steering wheel in either direction
several times until it stops, or hold the steering
wheel in the stopped position for an extended
amount of time, you may notice a reduced amount
of power steering assist. The normal amount of
power steering assist should return shortly after
a few normal steering movements.
The electric power steering system does not
require regular maintenance. If you suspect
steering system problems, contact your
dealer/retailer for service repairs. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 222.
Hydraulic Power Steering
If your vehicle has the hydraulic power steering
system and you lose power steering assist
because the engine stops or the power steering
system is not functioning, you can steer, but it will
take much more effort.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable
speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents
mentioned on the news happen on curves.
Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is
subject to the same laws of physics when driving
on curves. The traction of the tires against the
road surface makes it possible for the vehicle to
change its path when you turn the front wheels.
If there is no traction, inertia will keep the
vehicle going in the same direction. If you have
ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you
will understand this.
299

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