1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU cooling

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use
a 50/50 mix of clean
water and
DEX-COOL fM coolant.
NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
So
use the recommended coolant.
A CAUTION:
I
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. Don’t spill coolant on
a hot engine.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 1 L
1. You can 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 about
one-quarter
of a turn to the left and then stop.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that
to stop. A hiss means
there is still some pressure left.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap slowly, and
remove
it.
5-18

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can
cause you or others to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air,
it stops flame if the engine
backfires.
If it isn’t there, and the engine
backfires, you could be burned. Don’t drive with
it
off, and be careful working on the engine with
the
air cleaner off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a
damaging engine fire. And, dirt can easily get
into your engine, which will damage it. Always
have the air cleaner in place when you’re driving.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transaxle fluid level.
A transaxle fluid leak is the only reason for fluid loss.
If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to your Chevrolet
dealership Service Department and have it repaired as
soon as possible. You may
also have your fluid level
checked by your dealer or service center when you have
your oil changed.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL” engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for
5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs fist, if you add only
DEX-COOL TM extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system
and how to
add coolant when it is low.
If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Chevrolet will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 OF (129 O C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you use
only
DEX-COOL TM (silicate-free) coolant.
If silicated coolant is added to the system,
premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion may result. In addition, the engine
coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL TM coolant which
won’t damage aluminum parts.
If you use this mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fire and
you or
others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mix of clean
water and
DEX-COOL TM coolant.
6-19

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking Coolant
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cost wouldn't be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mix 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 check your cooling system.
I NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don't have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.
The surge tank is located on the passenger's side of the
engine compartment.
6-20

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
See “Changing a Flat Tire” in the Index for more
information.
Used Replacement Wheels
Putting
a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how it’s been used or
how far it’s been driven. It could fail suddenly
and cause an accident.
If you have to replace a
wheel, use a new
GM original equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
NOTICE:
Use tire chains only where legal and only when
you must. Use only
SAE Class “St’ type chains
that are the proper size for your tires. Install
them on the front tires and tighten them as
tightly as possible with the ends securely
fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions.
If you can hear the
chains contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten
them.
If the contact continues, slow down until it
stops. Driving too fast or spinning the wheels
with chains on
will damage your vehicle.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 3)
4)
Left-Hand Electrical
Center-Stoplamps, Hazard Lamps,
Body Function Control Module, Cluster, Climate Control System
Right-hand Electrical Center-Fog
Lamps, Radio, Body Function Control Module, Interior Lamps
Ignition Switch
Not Used
Anti-Lock Brakes
Cooling Fans
Rear Defog
Not Used Anti-Lock
Brakes
Cooling Fan
HVAC Blower (Climate Control)
Cooling Fans
Cooling Fans
35)
36)
37)
3
8)
Air Conditioning Compressor
Not Used
Fuel Pump
Automatic Light Control Automatic Light Control
Horn
Daytime Running Lamps
Spare Fuses
Rear Defog Accessory Power Outlets,
Cigar Lighter
Anti-Lock Brakes
Anti-Lock Brakes
Air Conditioning Compressor,
Body Function Control Module
Automatic Transaxle
6-59

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Mini-Fuses 39) Powertrain Control
Module, Ignition
Anti-Lock Brakes
Ignition System
Back-up Lamps, Brake-Transaxle
Shift Interlock
Horn
Powertrain Control Module
Parking Lamps
Rear Defog, Daytime Running
Lamps, Climate Control System Mini-Fuses
47) Canister Purge Valve, Powertrain
Control Module, Exhaust Gas
Recirculation, Heated
02 Sensor
Fuel Pump, Injectors
Generator
Right-Hand Headlamp
Left-Hand Headlamp
Cooling Fan
WAC Blower (Climate Control
)
Fuse Puller for Mini-Fuses
Tach Test Point for
Diagnostic Testing
6-60