1998 CHEVROLET MALIBU check engine

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How This Section is Organized
The remainder of this section is divided into five parts:
“Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services” shows
what to have done and how often. Some of these
services can be complex,
so unless you are technically
qualified and have the necessary equipment, you should
let your dealer’s service department or another qualified
service center do these jobs.
I
L
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can
be dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you can
be seriously injured.
Do your own maintenance
work only if you have the required know-how
and the proper tools and equipment for the
job.
If you have any doubt, have a qualified
technician do the work. “Part
B: Owner Checks and Services” tells
you what should be checked and when. It also explains
what you can easily do to help keep your vehicle in
good condition.
“Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections”
explains important inspections that your dealer’s
service department or another qualified service center
should perform.
“Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” lists
some recommended products to help keep your vehicle
properly maintained. These products, or their
equivalents, should be used whether you do the work
yourself or have it done.
“Part E: Maintenance Record’’ provides a place for
you to record the maintenance performed on your
vehicle. Whenever any maintenance is performed, be
sure to write it down in this
part. This will help you
determine when your next maintenance should be
done.
In addition, it is a good idea to keep your maintenance
receipts. They may be needed to qualify your vehicle for
warranty repairs.
If you are skilled enough to do some work on your
vehicle,
you will probably want to get the service
information. See “Service and Owner Publications” in
the Index.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Part A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to help you keep your
vehicle in good working condition. But we don’t know
exactly how you’ll drive it. You may drive very short
distances only a few times a week. Or you may drive
long distances all the time in very hot, dusty weather.
You may use your vehicle in making deliveries. Or you
may drive
it to work, to do errands or in many
other ways.
Because
of all the different ways people use their
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may even need
more frequent checks and replacements than you’ll find
in the schedules in this section.
So please read this
section and note how you drive. If you have any
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good
condition, see your dealer.
This
part tells you the maintenance services you should
have done and when you should schedule them. If you
go
to your dealer for your service needs, you’ll know
that GM-trained and supported service people will
perform the work using genuine GM parts. The proper fluids and lubricants to use
are listed in
Part D. Make sure whoever services your vehicle uses
these. All parts should be replaced and all necessary
repairs done before you or anyone else drives the vehicle.
These schedules are for vehicles that:
0 carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits.
You will find these limits on your vehicle’s
Tire-Loading Information label. See “Loading Your
Vehicle” in the Index.
are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.
0 use the recommended fuel. See “Fuel” in the Index.
Selecting the Right Schedule
First you’ll need to decide which of the two schedules is
right for your vehicle. Here’s how to decide which
schedule to follow:
7-4

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(1 66
000 km) at the same intervals. The services shown
at
150,000 miles (240 000 km) should be performed at
the same interval after
150,000 miles (240 000 km).
See “Owner Checks and Services’’ and “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” following.
Footnotes
? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or
limit recall liability prior to the
completion
of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance
be recorded.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See “Brake System Inspection” under “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” in Part C
of this schedule.
- 7-7

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Long Tripmighway Maintenance Schedule
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals. The services shown
at
150,000 miles (240 000 km) should be performed at
the same interval after
150,000 miles (240 000 km).
See “Owner Checks and Services” and “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” following.
Footnotes
7 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to the
completion
of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance
be recorded.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See “Brake System Inspection” under “Periodic
Maintenance Inspections” in Part
C of this schedule.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in
Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
pe~orm these underhood checks at eachfielfill,
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. See “Engine Oil” in the Index for
further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture
if necessary. See “Engine Coolant” in
the Index for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid
if
necessary. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the Index
for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures. See
“Tires”
in the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See “Audio Systems” in the
Index for further details.
7-29
~.

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 Brake-Transaxle Shift Interlock (BTSI) Check
Starter Switcr :heck
I CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If
it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake (see “Parking
Brake” in the Index
if necessary) and the
regular brake.
NOTE: Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be
ready to turn
off the engine immediately if it starts.
should work only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL
(N). If
the starter works in any other position, your vehicle
needs service.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter
I A CAUTION: I
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly.
If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a
level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake (see “Parking Brake” in the Index if necessary).
NOTE: Be ready to apply the regular brake
immediately
if the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the ON position,
but don’t
start the engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move
the shift lever out of
PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK (P), your vehicle’s BTSI
needs service.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set,
try to tum
the ignition key to OFF in each shift lever position. The
key should
turn to OFF only when the shift lever is in
PARK (P).
On all vehicles, the key should come out only in OFF.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle PARK (P)
T - lanism Check
II
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You
or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there
is room in front of your vehicle in case
it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake
at once should the vehicle begin to move. Park
on a fairly steep
hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability: With
the engine running and transaxle in
NEUTRAL (N),
slowly remove foot pressure from the regular brake
pedal.
Do this until the vehicle is held by the parking
brake only.
0 To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to PARK
(P). Then
release
all brakes.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least
every spring, use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
7-32