Engine CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX 2007 6.G Manual PDF

Your vehicle has an airbag system. Before
attempting to do your own service work, see
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 88.
You should keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of any service
work you perform. SeeMaintenance Record
on page 472.
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your
vehicle can affect the airow around it. This may
cause wind noise and affect windshield washer
performance. Check with your dealer before
adding equipment to the outside of your vehicle.
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an important
part of the proper maintenance of your vehicle.
To help keep the engine clean and maintain
optimum vehicle performance, GM recommends
the use of gasoline advertised as TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline.
Gasoline Octane
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted
octane rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating
is less than 87, you might notice an audible
knocking noise when you drive, commonly referred
to as spark knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible.
If you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher and you hear heavy knocking, the engine
needs service.
346

Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM
specication D 4814 in the United States or
CAN/CGSB-3.5 in Canada. Some gasolines may
contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT). General Motors recommends against the
use of gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives
on page 347for additional information.
California Fuel
If your vehicle is certied to meet California
Emissions Standards, it is designed to operate on
fuels that meet California specications. See the
underhood emission control label. If this fuel is not
available in states adopting California emissions
standards, your vehicle will operate satisfactorily on
fuels meeting federal specications, but emission
control system performance may be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp may turn on and your
vehicle may fail a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 212. If this occurs, return to
your authorized GM dealer for diagnosis. If it is
determined that the condition is caused by the type
of fuel used, repairs may not be covered by your
warranty.
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the
United States are now required to contain additives
that will help prevent engine and fuel system
deposits from forming, allowing your emission
control system to work properly. In most cases,
you should not have to add anything to your fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the
minimum amount of additive required to meet
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations.
To help keep fuel injectors and intake valves
clean, or if your vehicle experiences problems due
to dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline that
is advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
Also, your dealer has additives that will help
correct and prevent most deposit-related problems.
347

Filling the Tank
{CAUTION:
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel re
can cause bad injuries. To help avoid
injuries to you and others, read and follow
all the instructions on the pump island.
Turn off your engine when you are
refueling. Do not smoke if you are near
fuel or refueling your vehicle. Do not use
cellular phones. Keep sparks, ames, and
smoking materials away from fuel. Do not
leave the fuel pump unattended when
refueling your vehicle. This is against the
law in some places. Do not re-enter the
vehicle while pumping fuel. Keep children
away from the fuel pump; never let
children pump fuel.The tethered fuel cap is located behind a hinged
fuel door on the passenger’s side of the vehicle.
To open the door, insert your nger into the nger
depression next to the fuel door.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly
counterclockwise. The fuel cap has a spring in it;
if the cap is released too soon, it will spring
back to the right.
While refueling, hang the tethered fuel cap from
the hook on the fuel door.
349

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

Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the 2.2L L4 engine, here is what you will see:
354

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 364.
B. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 359.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 359.
D. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeCooling
System on page 374.E. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 381.
F. Battery. SeeBattery on page 384.
G. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 449.
H. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 380.
355

When you open the hood on the 3.5L V6 engine, here is what you will see:
356

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 364.
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped).
SeePower Steering Fluid on page 379
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 359.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 359.
E. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeCooling
System on page 374.F. Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap. See
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 371
G. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 381.
H. Battery. SeeBattery on page 384.
I. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 449.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 380.
357

When you open the hood on the 3.9L V6 engine, here is what you will see:
358

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