2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU coolant level

{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don't spill coolant on a hot engine.1. Park the vehicle on a level surface.
You can remove the coolant surge tank pressure
cap when the cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and upper radiator
hose, is no longer hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise (left) about two or two and
one-half turns. If you hear a hiss, wait for that to
stop. This will allow any pressure still left to be
vented out the discharge hose.
2. Then keep turning the
pressure cap slowly,
and remove it.
5-28

3. Then ®ll the coolant surge tank with the proper
mixture, to the hash mark on the label. Wait
about ®ve minutes, then check to see if the level is
below the hash mark. If the level is below the
hash mark, add additional coolant to bring the level
up to the hash mark. Repeat this procedure until
the level remains constant at the hash mark
for at least ®ve minutes.4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start
the engine and let it run until you can feel the upper
radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fans.
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank may be lower. If the level is lower than
the FULL COLD mark, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge tank until the level
reaches the FULL COLD mark.
5-29

Notice:
·When using concentrated washer ¯uid, follow
the manufacturer's instructions for adding
water.
·Don't mix water with ready-to-use washer ¯uid.
Water can cause the solution to freeze and
damage your washer ¯uid tank and other parts
of the washer system. Also, water doesn't
clean as well as washer ¯uid.
·Fill your washer ¯uid tank only three-quarters
full when it's very cold. This allows for
expansion if freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is completely full.
·Don't use engine coolant (antifreeze) in your
windshield washer. It can damage your
washer system and paint.
Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is ®lled with DOT-3
brake ¯uid. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for the location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake ¯uid level
in the reservoir might go down. The ®rst is that
the brake ¯uid goes down to an acceptable level
during normal brake lining wear. When new linings are
put in, the ¯uid level goes back up. The other
reason is that ¯uid is leaking out of the brake system.
5-32

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services
which should be performed at the intervals speci®ed to
help ensure the safety, dependability and emission
control performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any ¯uids 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
perform these underhood checks at each fuel ®ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13for further
details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOLž
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-19for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer ¯uid level in the windshield
washer tank and add the proper ¯uid if necessary.
See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 5-31for further
details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire In¯ation Check
Visually inspect your tires and make sure tires are
in¯ated to the correct pressures. Don't forget to check
your spare tire. See
Tires on page 5-48for further
details.
Cassette Tape Player Service
Clean cassette tape player. Cleaning should be done
every 50 hours of tape play. SeeAudio System(s)
on page 3-36for further details.
6-15

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

Light (cont.)
Charging System.........................................3-27
Check Oil Level..........................................3-33
Door Ajar...................................................3-34
Low Coolant Warning...................................3-29
Low Washer Fluid Warning...........................3-34
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-30
Oil Pressure...............................................3-32
Passlock
žWarning.......................................3-34
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-25
Service Vehicle Soon...................................3-35
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-32
Lockout Protection..........................................2-11
Locks............................................................. 2-8
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-8
Door........................................................... 2-7
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-11
Lockout Protection.......................................2-11
Power Door.................................................. 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-9
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-10
Long Trip/Highway De®nition.............................. 6-5
Long Trip/Highway Intervals............................... 6-5
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance........6-11
Loss of Control...............................................4-12
Low Coolant Warning Light..............................3-29
Low Washer Fluid Warning Light.......................3-34
M
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts............5-83
Maintenance Schedule.....................................6-15
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-15
At Least Once a Month................................6-15
At Least Once a Year..................................6-16
At Least Twice a Year..................................6-16
Brake System Inspection..............................6-20
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-20
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-19
Fuel System Inspection................................6-19
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance.....6-11
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services......... 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services..............6-15
Part C - Periodic MaintenanceInspections.......6-19
Part D - Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants...............................................6-21
Part E - Maintenance Record.........................6-22
Selecting the Right Schedule.......................... 6-4
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance............. 6-6
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection..........................6-19
Throttle System Inspection............................6-20
Using Your................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
8