oil additives CHEVROLET MALIBU 2008 6.G Owners Manual

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of the
Vehicle......................................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-6
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-8
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-11
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-12
Hood Release..............................................5-12
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-14
Engine Oil...................................................5-19
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-22
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-24
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-26
Engine Coolant.............................................5-26
Pressure Cap...............................................5-29
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-29
Engine Overheating.......................................5-29Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-31
Cooling System............................................5-32
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-36
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-38
Brakes........................................................5-39
Battery........................................................5-42
Jump Starting...............................................5-43
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-48
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-48
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-48
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-49
License Plate Lamp......................................5-50
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-51
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-51
Tires..............................................................5-52
Winter Tires.................................................5-53
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-54
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-57
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-60
High-Speed Operation...................................5-62
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-62
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................5-64
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-67
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-69
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended
oils with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard
GM6094M are all you 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. SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 3-48. Change the 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 might not indicate that an oil
change is necessary for over a year. However, the engine
oil and lter must be changed at least once a year and at
this time the system must be reset. Your dealer/retailer
has trained service people who will perform this work
using genuine parts and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly and keep it at the
proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change the 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.
5-22

What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which will not damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you do
not need to add anything else.
{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 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:If an improper coolant mixture is used,
the engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core, and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer/retailer check your cooling system.
Notice:If extra inhibitors and/or additives are used
in the vehicle’s cooling system, the vehicle could
be damaged. Use only the proper mixture of
the engine coolant listed in this manual for the
cooling system. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-12for more information.
5-27

Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-24
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-41
Coolant......................................................5-26
Coolant Heater............................................2-27
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-40
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-40
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-14
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-14
Exhaust.....................................................2-37
Oil .............................................................5-19
Oil Life System...........................................5-22
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-31
Overheating................................................5-29
Starting......................................................2-24
Entry/Exit Lighting...........................................3-17
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-18
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-30
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-24
Finish Damage...............................................5-95
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-77Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-78
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-87
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-26
Power Steering...........................................5-36
Windshield Washer......................................5-38
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-16
Folding Rear Seat............................................ 1-9
Front Reading Lamps......................................3-17
Front Storage Area.........................................2-52
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-7
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-11
Filling the Tank............................................. 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-8
Gage .........................................................3-45
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-6
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-6
Running Out of...........................................2-38
Fuses...........................................................5-99
Engine Compartment Fuse Block.................5-102
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-99
Rear Compartment Fuse Block....................5-105
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-98
5