cooling CHEVROLET MALIBU 2008 6.G User Guide

Checking Coolant
The engine coolant surge tank is located in the rear of
the engine compartment.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
more information on location.
{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 your
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 5-29andCooling System on page 5-32.
5-28

Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, this is what
you see:
A. 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 cause injury. 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.
The coolant level should be at or above the FULL COLD
mark on 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.
3.5L V6 Engine shown,
2.4L L4, 3.6L V6 Engines similar
5-32

{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 the engine
without coolant is not covered by the warranty.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®can
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 the vehicle warranty.
Always use DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in
the vehicle.
5-33

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 the 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 5-26for 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.
5-34

{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid such as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. The vehicle’s
coolant warning system is set for the proper
coolant mixture. With plain water or the wrong
mixture, the engine could get too hot but you
would not get the overheat warning. The engine
could catch re 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.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
{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.
1. 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
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.
5-35

3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture,
to the FULL COLD mark. Wait about ve minutes,
then check to see if the level is below the 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 might 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.Power Steering Fluid
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14for
reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
Power steering uid is used in all vehicles with
V6 engines. Vehicles with the 4-cylinder engine have
electric power steering and do not use power steering
uid.
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
uid unless a leak is suspected in the system, or
an unusual noise is heard. A uid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
5-36

If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts,
wheel nuts, or Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
sensors, replace them only with new GM original
equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to have
the right wheel, wheel bolts, wheel nuts, and TPMS
sensors for your vehicle.
{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.
SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-78for more
information.
Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on the vehicle is
dangerous. You cannot know how it has been
used or how far it has been driven. It could fail
suddenly and cause a crash. If you have to
replace a wheel, use a new GM original
equipment wheel.
5-75

Fuses Usage
7 Left Headlamp Low-Beam
8 Horn
9 Right Headlamp Low-Beam
10 Front Fog Lamps
11 Left Headlamp High-Beam
12 Right Headlamp High-Beam
13Engine Control Module BATT
(LY7 & LE5)
14 Windshield Wiper
15 Antilock Brake System (IGN 1)
16Engine Control Module IGN 1
(LY7 & LE5)
17 Cooling Fan 1
18 Cooling Fan 2
19Run Relay, Heating, Ventilation,
Air Conditioning Blower
20 Body Control Module 1
21 Body Control Module Run/Crank
22 Rear Electrical Center 1
23 Rear Electrical Center 2Fuses Usage
24 Antilock Brake System
25 Body Control Module 2
26 Starter
41 Electric Power Steering
42Transmission Control Module
Battery
43Ignition Module (LZ4 & LE5);
Injectors, Ignition Coils Odd (LY7)
44Injectors (LZ4 & LE5); Injectors,
Ignition Coils Even (LY7)
45Post Cat 02 Sensor Heaters
(LY7 & LZ4)
46 Daytime Running Lamps
47 Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
50 Driver Power Window
51 Engine Control Module BATT (LZ4)
54 Regulated Voltage Control
55 DC/AC Inverter
56 Antilock Brake System BATT
5-104

Relays Usage
28 Cooling Fan 1
29 Cooling Fan Series/Parallel
30 Cooling Fan 2
31 Starter
32 Run/Crank, Ignition
33 Powertrain
34 Air Conditioning Clutch
35 High Beam
36 Front Fog Lamps
37 Horn
38 Low-Beam Headlamp
39 Windshield Wiper 1
40 Windshield Wiper 2
48 Daytime Running Lamps
49 Stoplamps
Diodes Usage
27 Wiper
Rear Compartment Fuse Block
The rear compartment fuse block is located in the trunk
of the vehicle. Access the fuse block through the
trunk panel on the driver side of the rear cargo area.
5-105

Capacities and Specications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. Please refer toRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12for more information.
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134aFor the air conditioning system refrigerant charge
amount, see the refrigerant caution label located
under the hood. See your dealer/retailer for more
information.
Automatic Transmission Complete Overhaul
Automatic Transmission 4T45-E 7.0 qt 6.6 L
Automatic Transmission 6T40 8.5 qt 8.0 L
Automatic Transmission 6T70 9.5 qt 9.0 L
Cooling System
2.4L L4 Engine 7.5 qt 7.1 L
3.5L V6 and 3.6L V6 Engine 9.7 qt 9.2 L
5-108