2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU Owners Manual

6-26 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

6-27 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 need 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.

6-28
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.

6-29
Bulb Replacement
For bulb types, see ªReplacement Bulbsº in the Index.
For any bulb changing procedures not listed in this
section, contact your dealer.
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

6-30
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.

6-31 Front Turn Signal Lamps
1. Remove the headlamp assembly as described
in ªHeadlamps.º
2. Once it has been removed, press the tab on the white
socket while twisting it less than one
-quarter turn
counterclockwise and pull it out.
3. Remove the old bulb and replace it with a new one.4. Turn the socket back into place.
5. 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.
6. 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.

6-32 Turn Signal/Tail/Stop/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.
3. Remove the three plastic wing nuts.

6-33
4. Pull out the taillamp assembly to expose the
backplate.5. Carefully remove the backplate by gently pulling up
on the two upper and two lower tabs.
6. Gently wiggle the bulb to remove it from the socket.
Replace the bulb.
7. Reverse the steps to reassemble the backplate and
attach the taillamp assembly to the vehicle. Make
sure that all four tabs of the backplate are securely
fastened to the taillamp assembly before reinstalling
it on the vehicle.
8. When securing the lamp assembly back into place,
align the assembly so that the trunk lid doesn't
contact it.