1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU check engine light

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes or superhighways) are the safest
of all roads. But they have their own special rules.
The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep
up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the same
speed most of the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or
too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow. Treat the
left lane on a freeway
as a passing lane. At the entrance, there is usually
a ramp that leads to
the
freeway. If you have a clear view
of the freeway as you
drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to
check traffic.
Try to determine where you expect to
blend with the flow. Try to merge into the gap at close to
the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check
your mirrors and glance over your shoulder as often as
necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic flow.
Once you
are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate
if it’s slower. Stay
in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your shoulder to make sure there isn’t another vehicle in your
“blind” spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move
slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the proper lane well in advance.
If you miss your exit, do not,
under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive on to
the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
. I”

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 5. Find the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on
each battery.
Using
a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use
a flashlight if
you need more light.
Be
sure the battery has enough water. You don’t
need to add water to the
AC Delco Freedom@
battery installed in every new
GM vehicle. But
if a battery has fiier caps, be sure the right
amount of fluid is there.
If it is low, add water to
take
care of that first. If you don’t, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you.
Don’t get
it on you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush the place with
water and get medical help immediately.
6. Check that the jumper cables don’t have loose or
missing insulation.
If they do, you could get a shock.
The vehicles could be damaged, too. Before you
connect the cables, here are some things
you should
know. .Positive (+) will go to positive (+) and
negative
(-) will go to negative (-) or a metal engine
part. Don’t connect positive
(+) to negative (-) or
you’ll get
a short that would damage the battery and
maybe other parts, too.
Fans
or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts
once the engine is running.
5-5

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be
very hot. Don’t touch them. If you
do, you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine
if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered by your warranty.
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 aren’t, your vehicle needs service.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn’t at FULL COLD mark or slightly higher, add a
50/50 mixture of clean water (preferably distilled) 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. (See “Engine
Coolant” in the Index for more information.)
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.
5-17

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Oil
If your vehicle is equipped with the 3 100 engine, you
have a
CHECK OIL light on the instrument panel.
CHECK
OIL
If the CHECK OIL light on
the instrument panel comes
on, it means you need to
check your engine oil level
right away.
For more information, see “Check Oil Light” in the
Index. You should check your engine oil level regularly;
this is an added reminder.
It’s a good idea to check your 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 yellow. The engine
oil dipstick
on the
2.4L engine is
located at the rear
of
the engine.
2.4L Engine
6-12

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking Coolant
The surge tank is located on the passenger’s side of the
engine compartment.
Thrning 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.
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the
FULL COLD mark or slightly higher.
1
If the low coolant light
comes on, it means you’re
6-22

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
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. Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace blade
inserts that appear worn or damaged
or that streak or
miss areas
of the windshield. Also see “Wiper Blades,
Cleaning’’ in the Index.
Automatic Transaxle Inspection
Check the transaxle fluid level; add if needed. See
“Automatic Transaxle” in the Index.
A fluid loss
may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair
if needed.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specified in Part
D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all body door hinges and latches, including
those for the hood and trunk lid.
Part D tells you what to
use. More frequent lubrication may be required when
exposed to a corrosive environment.
7-30

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0 Section 9 Index
Accessory Power Outlet ......................... 2-44
Adding Equipment to Your Vehicle
.................. 6-3
Adjuster. Seat .............................. 1.2. 1.52
AirBag
....................................... 1-20
How Does it Restrain
.......................... 1-24
Howitworks
................................ 1-22
Location
.................................... 1-22
Readiness Light
......................... 1.22. 2.5 1
Servicing ................................... 1-26
What Makes it Inflate
.......................... 1-24
What Will
You See After it Inflates ............... 1-25
When Should it Inflate ......................... 1-24
Air Bag Readiness Light
................... 1.22. 2.5 1
Aircleaner .................................... 6-18
Air Conditioning ............................ 3.2. 2.3
Air Conditioning Refrigerants ..................... 6-62
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-43
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
...................... 6-50
Antenna. Fixed ................................. 3-24
Antifreeze
..................................... 6-20
Anti-Lock
Brake System Warning Light
................ 2.53. 4.7
Brakes
................................. 2.53. 4.7
Anti.Theft. Radio .............................. 3- 19 Appearancecare
............................... 6-45
Appearance Care Materials
....................... 6-53
Arbitration Program
.............................. 8-9
Audio Equipment. Adding
......... 2.15.2.16.3.22. 6.55
Audio Systems .................................. 3-6
Auto-Down Window
............................ 2-28
Automatic Transaxle Park Mechanism Check
......... 7-32
Automatic Light Control
......................... 2-37
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
........................ 6-19
Automatic Transaxle Operation
.................... 2-18
Shifting
..................................... 2-18
Ashtray
....................................... 2-43
Backing up with a Trailer
....................... 4-37
Battery
....................................... 6-30
Jump Starting ................................. 5-3
Replacement, Keyless Entry System ............... 2-8
Saver
...................................... 2-39
Warnings
.................................... 5-3
BBB Auto Line
................................. 8-9
Before Leaving on
a Long Trip .................... 4-21
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-9
Blizzard
...................................... 4-26
__.~ ... .......... ~- ~

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brake Adjustment
.................................. 6-29
Fluid
....................................... 6-26
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-26
Parking
..................................... 2-22
Pedal Travel
................................. 6-29
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-30
System Warning Light
.................... 2-52, 6-27
Trailer
...................................... 4-36
Transaxle Shift Interlock
.................. 2-25, 7-31
Transaxle Shift Interlock Check
.................. 7-3 1
Wear
....................................... 6-28
Brakes, Anti-Lock
.......................... 2-53, 4-7
Braking
........................................ 4-6
Braking
in Emergencies ........................... 4-9
Break-In, New Vehicle
.......................... 2- 13
BTSI
.................................... 2-25, 7-31
BTSICheck
................................... 7-31
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-3 1
Back-up Lamp
.............................. 6-34
Dome Lamp
................................. 6-36
Headlamps
.................................. 6-32
CHMSL
.................................... 6-33
Taillamp
.................................... 6-34
Canadian Roadside Assistance
.................... 8-7
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-62
Carbon Monoxide
............... 2.10.2.26.4.27. 4.35 Care
of Your
Compact Disc Player ................. 3-24
Care of Your Compact Discs
...................... 3-24
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-29
Cassette Tape Player
........................ 3.9, 3.18
Cassette Tape Player Care
........................ 3-22
CD Adapter Kit
................................ 3-13
CDPlayer
..................................... 3-14
CD Player Theft-Deterrent Feature
................. 3-19
Center Console Storage Area
...................... 2-42
Center High-Mounted Stop Lamp Bulb Replacement
... 6-33
Center Rear Passenger Position
.................... 1-32
Certification Label
.............................. 4-31
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-36
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-43
Changing a Flat Tire
............................. 5-22
Check Engine Light
............................. 2-55
Check Oil Light
........................... 2-58. 6-12
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-52
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-52
Child Restraints
................................ 1-37
Securing in a Rear Outside Seat Position
........... 1-42
Securing in the Center Rear Seat Position
.......... 1-44
Securing
in the Right Front Seat Position .......... 1-46
TopStrap
................................... 1-42
Wheretoput
................................ 1-41
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
....................... 6-56
Cleaner. Air
................................... 6-18