2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU Owners Manual

6-26
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT
-3 brake
fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed container only.
Refer to ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in the
Maintenance Schedule.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
NOTICE:

Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a few
drops of mineral
-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts so badly that they'll have to be
replaced. Don't let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.

If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle's
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately. See ªAppearance Careº in
the Index.

6-27 Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built
-in wear indicators that make
a high
-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound may
come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle is
moving (except when you are pushing on the brake
pedal firmly).
CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won't work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to GM torque specifications.
Your rear drum brakes don't have wear indicators, but if
you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear
brake linings inspected immediately. Also, the rear
brake drums should be removed and inspected each time
the tires are removed for rotation or changing. When
you have the front brake pads replaced, have the rear
brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See ªBrake System Inspectionº in Section 7
of this manual under Part C ªPeriodic
Maintenance Inspections.º

6-28 Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a moderate brake stop, your disc
brakes adjust for wear. If you rarely make a moderate or
heavier stop, then your brakes might not adjust correctly.
If you drive in that way, then
-- very carefully -- make
a few moderate brake stops about every 1,000 miles
(1 600 km), so your brakes will adjust properly.
If your brake pedal goes down farther than normal, your
rear drum brakes may need adjustment. Adjust them by
pumping the brake pedal repeatedly while the engine is
running with the shift lever in PARK (P).
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your vehicle
was designed and tested with top
-quality GM brake
parts. When you replace parts of your braking
system
-- for example, when your brake linings wear
down and you have to have new ones put in
-- be sure
you get new approved GM replacement parts. If you
don't, your brakes may no longer work properly. For
example, if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong
for your vehicle, the balance between your front and
rear brakes can change
-- for the worse. The braking
performance you've come to expect can change in many
other ways if someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.

6-29
Battery
Your new vehicle comes with a maintenance free
ACDelco
battery. When it's time for a new battery, get
one that has the replacement number shown on the
original battery's label. We recommend an ACDelco
battery. See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the
Index for battery location.
WARNING: Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
Vehicle Storage
If you're not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, remove the black, negative (
-) cable from
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
aren't careful. See ªJump Startingº in the Index
for tips on working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see ªTheft
-Deterrent
Featureº in the Index.

6-30
Bulb Replacement
This section describes bulb changing procedures for
some of your interior and exterior lamps. For bulb sizes,
see ªReplacement Bulbsº in the Index. For any bulbs
not listed in this section, contact your dealer's
service department.
Halogen Bulbs
CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
Headlamps
A. Front Turn Signal
B. High
-Beam Headlamp
C. Low
-Beam Headlamp

6-31
1. Carefully pull directly up on the two latches to
unhook the lamp assembly.
2. Remove the lamp assembly from the vehicle by
pulling it forward. Use care not to scratch the vehicle
with the lamp or the lamp with the fender.3. Unclip the wiring harness and twist the socket less
than a one
-quarter turn counterclockwise and
remove it.
4. Gently wiggle the bulb from the socket. Replace the
old bulb with a new bulb.
5. Turn the socket back into place and reconnect the
wiring harness to the socket.
6. Return the lamp assembly to its original position. Be
sure to line up the holes in the lamp assembly to the
round ends of the mounting pins.
7. Press down on the two latches to hook the lamp
assembly in place.

6-32 Front Turn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement
The front turn signal bulbs can be accessed by removing
the headlamp assembly as described in the previous bulb
replacement procedure.
1. Once the headlamp assembly has been removed,
press the tab on the white socket while twisting it
less than one
-quarter turn counterclockwise and
pull it out.2. Remove the old bulb and replace it with a new one.
3. Turn the socket back into place.
4. Return the lamp assembly to its original position. Be
sure to line up the holes in the lamp assembly to the
round ends of the mounting pins.
5. Press down on the two latches to hook in the
lamp assembly.
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
(Interior Mounted)
1. Open the trunk and locate the CHMSL housing on
the underside of the rear window shelf.
2. Twist the socket one
-quarter turn counterclockwise
to remove it.
3. Gently remove burned out bulb and replace with a
new one.
4. Turn the socket back into place.

6-33 Tail/Stop/Turn Signal/Back-Up Lamps
A. Rear Turn Signal Lamp
B. Taillamp/Stoplamp
C. Back
-Up Lamp
1. Unscrew the fastener
located on the inside of
the trunk at the rear of
the vehicle.
2. Gently pull back the trunk trim.