2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU brake

5-26
12. Tighten the wheel
nuts firmly in a
crisscross sequence,
as shown.
CAUTION:
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened
wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become loose
and even come off. This could lead to an accident.
Be sure to use the correct wheel nuts. If you have
to replace them, be sure to get new GM original
equipment wheel nuts.
Stop somewhere as soon as you can and have
the nuts tightened with a torque wrench to
100 lb
-ft (140 N´m).
NOTICE:
Improperly tightened wheel nuts can lead to
brake pulsation and rotor damage. To avoid
expensive brake repairs, evenly tighten the wheel
nuts in the proper sequence and to the proper
torque specification.
Don't try to put a wheel cover on your compact spare
tire. It won't fit. Store the wheel cover and wheel nut
caps in the trunk until you have the flat tire repaired
or replaced.
NOTICE:
Wheel covers won't fit on your compact spare
tire. If you try to put a wheel cover on your
compact spare tire, you could damage the cover
or the spare.

6-
6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
-6 Filling Your Tank
6
-8 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-9 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-12 Engine Oil
6
-16 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-17 Automatic Transaxle Fluid
6
-18 Engine Coolant
6
-22 Surge Tank Pressure Cap
6
-22 Power Steering Fluid
6
-23 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-24 Brakes
6
-28 Battery6
-29 Bulb Replacement
6
-34 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
6
-35 Tires
6
-43 Appearance Care
6
-44 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-46 Care of Safety Belts
6
-47 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-49 Cleaning Aluminum Wheels (If Equipped)
6
-50 Finish Damage
6
-51 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-52 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-53 Electrical System
6
-59 Replacement Bulbs
6
-60 Capacities and Specifications
6
-60 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

6-9
Checking Things Under the Hood
CAUTION:
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.
CAUTION:
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.
Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following:
1. Pull the hood release
handle located inside the
vehicle to the left of the
parking brake.

6-11 Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood, you'll see the following:
A. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap
D. Engine Oil DipstickE. Brake Fluid Reservoir
F. Engine Compartment
Fuse Block
G. Engine Air Cleaner/FilterH. Battery
I. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir

6-24
Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is on the driver's
side of the engine compartment. It is filled with DOT
-3
brake fluid. See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in
the Index.There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in the
reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake fluid
goes down to an acceptable level during normal brake
lining wear. When new linings are put in, the fluid level
goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is leaking out
of the brake system. If it is, you should have your brake
system fixed, since a leak means that sooner or later your
brakes won't work well, or won't work at all.
So, it isn't a good idea to ªtop offº your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won't correct a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you'll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
CAUTION:
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on
the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.

6-25
United States Canada
When your brake fluid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. See ªBrake System Warning
Lightº in the Index.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT
-3
brake fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed container
only. See ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº in
the Index.
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.

6-26 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.