1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking Things Under the Hood
/A CAL IION:
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.
A CAUTION:
I -I
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, 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.
The following sections tell you how to check fluids,
lubricants and important parts under the hood.
Hood Release
To open the hood, first pull
the
hood release handle
inside the vehicle.
6-8

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Then go to the front of the vehicle and lift the secondary
hood release handle before lifting the hood. Lift the hood, release the
hood prop rod from its
retainer and put the hood
prop into the slot marked
PROP ROD.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps
are on properly. Then let the hood drop from about
8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm).

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 2.4L (CODE T) Engine
When you open the hood, you’ll see:
A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap
C. Engine Oil Dipstick
D. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
E. Brake Fluid Reservoir
F. Air Cleaner
G. Battery
H. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 3100 (CODE M) Engine
When you open the hood, you’ll see:
A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
B . Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap
D. Engine Oil Dipstick
E. Brake Fluid Reservoir
F. Air Cleaner
G. Battery
H. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir

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
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The engine oil dipstick
on the
3100 engine is
located in front
of
the engine.
3100 Engine
Turn off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to
drain back into the oil pan.
If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
Checking Engine Oil
Pull out 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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD line, then you’ll need
to add at least one quart of oil. But you must use the
right kind. This part explains what kind of
oil to use. For
crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications”
in the Index.
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the upper
mark that
shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged. 2.4L Engine
The engine oil fill cap for the 2.4L engine is located on
the rear, right side of the engine.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The engine oil fill cap for the 3 100 engine is located on
the front of the engine.
Be sure to
fill it enough to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you’re through.
3100 Engine
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