2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU engine

Part C: Periodic
MaintenanceInspections
Listed in this part are inspections and services which
should be performed at least twice a year (for instance,
each spring and fall).
You should let your dealer's
service department do these jobs. Make sure any
necessary repairs are completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in a service manual. SeeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 7-9.
Steering, Suspension and
Front Drive Axle Boot and
Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, cha®ng, etc. Clean and then inspect the drive
axle boot seals for damage, tears or leakage.
Replace seals if necessary.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the
body near the exhaust system. Look for broken,
damaged, missing or out-of-position parts as well as
open seams, holes, loose connections or other
conditions which could cause a heat build-up in the
¯oor pan or could let exhaust fumes into the vehicle.
See
Engine Exhaust on page 2-26.
Fuel System Inspection
Inspect the complete fuel system for damage
or leaks.
6-19

Engine Cooling System Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they
are cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
®ttings and clamps; replace as needed. Clean the
outside of the radiator and air conditioning condenser.
To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test of
the cooling system and pressure cap is recommended
at least once a year.
Throttle System Inspection
Inspect the throttle system for interference or binding,
and for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts
as needed. Replace any components that have high
effort or excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator
and cruise control cables.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
cha®ng, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Also inspect drum brake linings
for wear and cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including
drums, wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc.
The parking brake is self-adjusting and no manual
adjustment is required. You may need to have your
brakes inspected more often if your driving habits
or conditions result in frequent braking.
6-20

Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identi®ed below by name, part
number or speci®cation may be obtained from your
dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certi®ed for
Gasoline Engines starburst symbol
of the proper viscosity. To determine
the preferred viscosity for your
vehicle's engine, see
Engine Oil
on page 5-13.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
ž
Coolant. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-19.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid
or equivalent DOT-3 brake ¯uid.
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
žWasher Solvent
or equivalent.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 1052884,
in Canada 993294, or equivalent).
Automatic
TransaxleDEXRON
ž-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Secondary
Latch, Pivots,
Spring Anchor
and Release
PawlLubriplate Lubricant Aerosol
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346293,
in Canada 992723, or equivalent)
or lubricant meeting requirements
of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Hood and Door
HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 109435474, or
equivalent).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningDielectric Silicone Grease
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345579,
in Canada 10953014, or equivalent).
6-21

If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it ®nds that a safety defect exists in
a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your dealer or
General Motors.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety
Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in
the Washington, D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590
You can also obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from the hotline.
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to:
Transport Canada
330 Sparks Street
Tower C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
Reporting Safety Defects to
General Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, we certainly hope you'll notify us.
Please call us at 1-800-222-1020, or write:
Chevrolet Motor Division
Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33170
Detroit, MI 48232-5170
In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle, suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $120.00
7-9

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-16
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-31
Additional Program Information........................... 7-8
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-5
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-76
Adjusting the Speakers
(Balance/Fade)............................3-39, 3-43, 3-50
Air Bag System, Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS)................................1-48
Air Bag .........................................................3-26
Readiness Light..........................................3-26
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-17
AM ...............................................................3-57
Antenna, Fixed Mast.......................................3-59
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)............................ 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-28
Appearance Care............................................5-67
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-70
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-73
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-68
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-71
Finish Damage............................................5-73
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-72
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-73Appearance Care (cont.)
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-73
Weatherstrips..............................................5-70
Ashtrays........................................................3-17
Audio System(s).............................................3-36
Care of Your Cassette
Tape Player.............................................3-58
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-59
Care of Your CDs........................................3-59
Chime Level Adjustment...............................3-59
Fixed Mast Antenna.....................................3-59
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-48
Radio with CD....................................3-37, 3-41
Setting the Time for Radios with
Radio Data Systems (RDS).......................3-37
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS).......................3-36
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-57
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-57
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-13
Automatic Transaxle Inspection.........................6-16
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control
System Check.............................................6-17
Automatic Transaxle........................................5-18
Fluid..........................................................5-18
Operation...................................................2-20
1

Charging System Light....................................3-27
Check...........................................................3-30
Engine Light...............................................3-30
Check Engine Light.........................................3-30
Checking Coolant............................................5-20
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-13
Checking Things Under the Hood....................... 5-9
Checking Your Restraint Systems......................1-54
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-73
Child Restraints..............................................1-35
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-35
Infants and Young Children...........................1-31
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-40
Older Children.............................................1-28
Securing a Child Restraint Designed
for the LATCH System..............................1-41
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center
Rear Seat Position...................................1-44
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Outside Seat Position...............................1-42
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-46
Top Strap...................................................1-38
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-39
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-38
Chime Level Adjustment..................................3-59Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-17
Cleaning........................................................5-68
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-68
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-71
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-73
Weatherstrips..............................................5-70
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels..............................5-72
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-71
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-68
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-70
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-70
Cleaning Leather............................................5-69
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-70
Cleaning Tires................................................5-72
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-69
Cleaning Windshield and Wiper Blades..............5-72
Climate Control System...................................3-17
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-21
Compact Disc Messages.................3-41, 3-47, 3-56
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-66
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Coolant.........................................................3-29
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-29
Heater, Engine............................................2-19
Low Warning Light.......................................3-29
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-21
Cooling System..............................................5-24
3

E
Electrical System............................................5-76
Add-On Equipment......................................5-76
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-77
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-76
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-76
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-76
Emergency Trunk Release Handle.....................2-13
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-32
Engine..........................................................5-17
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-17
Battery.......................................................5-36
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-30
Compartment Overview................................5-12
Coolant Heater............................................2-19
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-29
Coolant......................................................5-19
Cooling System Inspection............................6-20
Exhaust.....................................................2-26
Oil .............................................................5-13
Overheating................................................5-22
Starting......................................................2-18
Engine Compartment Fuse Block......................5-80
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................6-15
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing..................4-40Engine Oil Additives........................................5-16
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-15
Entry/Exit Lighting...........................................3-15
Express-Down Window....................................2-15
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-28
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-12
F
Filter.............................................................5-17
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-17
Finding a Station............................3-38, 3-42, 3-48
Finding PTY Stations...............................3-44, 3-51
Finish Care....................................................5-71
Finish Damage...............................................5-73
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-59
Flash-to-Pass Feature....................................... 3-7
Flat Tire........................................................5-56
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-57
Fluid.............................................................5-18
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-18
Power Steering...........................................5-30
Windshield Washer......................................5-31
FM ...............................................................3-57
Fog Lamps....................................................3-14
Folding the Seatback........................................ 1-5
5

Following Distance..........................................4-38
Fuel............................................................... 5-4
Additives...................................................... 5-5
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-9
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-6
Gage.........................................................3-35
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-4
Gasoline Speci®cations.................................. 5-4
System Inspection.......................................6-19
Fuses...........................................................5-77
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-77
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-76
G
Gage............................................................3-29
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-29
Fuel..........................................................3-35
Speedometer..............................................3-24
Tachometer.................................................3-25
Garment Hooks..............................................2-30
Gasoline......................................................... 5-4
Octane........................................................ 5-4
Speci®cations............................................... 5-4
Glove Box.....................................................2-30
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-4
Head Restraints............................................... 1-5
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-7
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-76
Headlamps..............................................3-6, 5-42
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-42
Front Turn Signal Lamps..............................5-44
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-42
Headlamps Off in Park (P)...............................3-14
Headlamps On Reminder................................... 3-7
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-21
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-21
Hitches..........................................................4-37
Hood.............................................................. 5-9
Checking Things Under.................................. 5-9
Release.....................................................5-10
Horn............................................................... 3-5
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank.................................................5-26
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-31
How to Check................................................5-50
How to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.......5-18
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-11
Hydroplaning..................................................4-17
6