2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU engine oil

Cooling System
When you decide it's safe to lift the hood, here's what
you'll see:
A. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
B. Coolant Surge Tank with Pressure Cap{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood
can start up even when the engine is not
running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling,
don't do anything else until it cools down. The vehicle
should be parked on a level surface.
5-24

{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle's coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you wouldn't get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch ®re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
žcoolant.
Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
5-27

{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of ¯uid 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 ¯uid.
Notice:
·Using the wrong ¯uid 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 ¯uid.
·If you spill brake ¯uid on your vehicle's painted
surfaces, the paint ®nish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brake ¯uid on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off immediately. See
ªAppearance Careº in the Index.
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 ®rmly).
{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 ®rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
5-34

Capacities and Speci®cations
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. Please refer toPart D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-21for more information.
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to ®ll to the appropriate level, as recommended in this manual.
Capacities
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a
Use Refrigerant Oil, R134a Systems1.4 lbs. 0.6 kg
Automatic Transaxle Complete Overhaul 9.5 quarts 9.0 L
Cooling System 13.6 quarts 12.9 L
Engine Oil with Filter 4.5 quarts 4.3 L
Fuel Tank 14.1 gallons 53.4 L
Wheel Nut Torque 100 lb-ft 140Y
Engine Speci®cations
Engine VIN Code Transaxle Spark Plug Gap
V6 J Automatic 0.06 inch, (1.52 mm)
5-82

Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Part Number
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter A1279C*
Engine Oil FilterPF47*
Spark Plugs41±101*
Windshield Wiper Blades
Passenger's Side
Driver's Side19.0 inches (48.0 cm)
22.0 inches (56.0 cm)
*ACDelco
žpart number.
5-83

Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level and
change as recommended.
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet or your dealer
for details.
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. Improper vehicle maintenance can
even affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper
¯uid levels or the wrong tire in¯ation can increase
the level of emissions from your vehicle. To help protect
our environment, and to keep your vehicle in good
condition, be sure to maintain your vehicle properly.
Maintenance Requirements
Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections and
recommended ¯uids and lubricants as prescribed in this
manual are necessary to keep your vehicle in good
working condition. Any damage caused by failure
to follow scheduled maintenance may not be covered by
warranty.
6-2

·Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
·You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top
of your vehicle.
·If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police,
taxi or other commercial application.
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule if
you operate your vehicle under any of these conditions
is that these conditions cause engine oil to break
down sooner.
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km):Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or 3 months, whichever occurs ®rst).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km):Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km):Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Inspection.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km):Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Replacement.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km):Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km):Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km):Cooling System
Service (or every 60 months, whichever occurs
®rst). Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete scheduled maintenance
on the following pages.
Long Trip/Highway De®nition
Follow this scheduled maintenanceonlyif none of the
conditions from the Short Trip/City Scheduled
Maintenance are true. Do not use this schedule if the
vehicle is used for trailer towing, driven in a dusty area
or used off paved roads. Use the Short Trip/City
schedule for these conditions.
Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under
highway conditions will cause engine oil to break down
slower.
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km):Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every 12 months, whichever occurs
®rst). Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km):Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Inspection.
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km):Engine Air Cleaner
Filter Replacement.
6-5

Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km):Automatic Transaxle
Service (severe conditions only).
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km):Spark Plug Wire
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km):Cooling System
Service (or every 60 months, whichever occurs
®rst). Engine Accessory Drive Belt Inspection.
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete scheduled maintenance
on the following pages.
Short Trip/City Scheduled
Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of
this vehicle. The services shown at 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) should be repeated at the same interval
after 150,000 miles (240 000 km) for the life of this
vehicle.
See
Part B: Owner Checks and Services on page 6-15andPart C: Periodic MaintenanceInspections on
page 6-19.
Footnotes
²The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle 's useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.
+A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See Brake System Inspection on page 6-20.
3,000 Miles (5 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
6,000 Miles (10 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-50for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
9,000 Miles (15 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
6-6