2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU Owners Manual

How This Section is Organized
This maintenance schedule is divided into ®ve parts:
ªPart A: Scheduled Maintenance Servicesºexplains
what to have done and how often. Some of these
services can be complex, so unless you are technically
quali®ed and have the necessary equipment, you
should let your GM dealer's service department do
these jobs.
Your GM dealer has GM-trained and supported service
people that will perform the work using genuine GM
parts.
{CAUTION:
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can
be dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you
can be seriously injured. Do your own
maintenance work only if you have the
required know-how and the proper tools and
equipment for the job. If you have any doubt,
have a quali®ed technician do the work.
If you want to get the service information, see
Service
Publications Ordering Information on page 7-9.ªPart B: Owner Checks and Servicesºtells you what
should be checked and when. It also explains what
you can easily do to help keep your vehicle in good
condition.
ªPart C: Periodic MaintenanceInspectionsºexplains
important inspections that your dealer's service
department can perform for you.
ªPart D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricantsºlists
some recommended products necessary to help
keep your vehicle properly maintained. These products,
or their equivalents, should be used whether you do
the work yourself or have it done.
ªPart E: Maintenance Recordºis a place for you to
record and keep track of the maintenance performed on
your vehicle. Keep your maintenance receipts. They
may be needed to qualify your vehicle for warranty
repairs.
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Part A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services
In this part are scheduled maintenance services which
are to be performed at the mileage intervals speci®ed.
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to keep your vehicle in good
working condition. But we don't know exactly how
you'll drive it. You may drive short distances only a few
times a week. Or you may drive long distances all
the time in very hot, dusty weather. You may use your
vehicle in making deliveries. Or you may drive it to
work, to do errands or in many other ways.
Because of the different ways people use their vehicles,
maintenance needs may vary. You may need more
frequent checks and replacements. So please read the
following and note how you drive. If you have
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good condition,
see your dealer.
This part tells you the maintenance services you should
have done and when to schedule them.
When you go to your dealer for your service needs,
you'll know that GM-trained and supported service
people will perform the work using genuine GM parts.The proper ¯uids and lubricants to use are listed in
Part D. Make sure whoever services your vehicle uses
these. All parts should be replaced and all necessary
repairs done before you or anyone else drives the
vehicle.
These schedules are for vehicles that:
·carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits. You will ®nd these on your vehicle's
Tire-Loading Information label. See
Loading Your
Vehicle on page 4-32.
·are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.
·use the recommended fuel. SeeGasoline Octane
on page 5-4
.
Selecting the Right Schedule
First you'll need to decide which of the two schedules is
right for your vehicle. Here's how to decide which
schedule to follow:
Short Trip/City De®nition
Follow the Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance if any
one of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
·Most trips are less than 5 miles (8 km). This is
particularly important when outside temperatures
are below freezing.
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·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

12,000 Miles (20 000 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 +.)
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qInspect engine air cleaner ®lter. If necessary, replace
the ®lter. If vehicle is driven in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspect ®lter at every engine oil change. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17for more
information.An Emission Control Service. (See
footnote ².)
18,000 Miles (30 000 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 +.)
21,000 Miles (35 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
24,000 Miles (40 000 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 +.)
27,000 Miles (45 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qReplace engine air cleaner ®lter. SeeEngine
Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17for more information.An Emission Control Service.
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-50for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
33,000 Miles (55 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
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36,000 Miles (60 000 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 +.)
39,000 Miles (65 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
42,000 Miles (70 000 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 +.)
45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qInspect engine air cleaner ®lter. If necessary, replace
the ®lter. If vehicle is driven in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspect ®lter at every engine oil change. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17for more
information.An Emission Control Service. (See
footnote ².)
48,000 Miles (80 000 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 +.)
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
qChange automatic transaxle ¯uid and ®lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
þ In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90ÉF (32ÉC)
or higher.
þ In hilly or mountainous terrain.
þ When doing frequent trailer towing.
þ Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the ¯uid and ®lter do not require changing.
51,000 Miles (85 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
6-8

54,000 Miles (90 000 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 +.)
57,000 Miles (95 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
60,000 Miles (100 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qReplace engine air cleaner ®lter. SeeEngine
Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17for more information.An Emission Control Service.
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-50for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
63,000 Miles (105 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
66,000 Miles (110 000 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 +.)
69,000 Miles (115 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
72,000 Miles (120 000 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 +.)
75,000 Miles (125 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qInspect engine air cleaner ®lter. If necessary, replace
the ®lter. If vehicle is driven in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspect ®lter at every engine oil change. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17for more
information.An Emission Control Service. (See
footnote ².)
6-9

78,000 Miles (130 000 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 +.)
81,000 Miles (135 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
84,000 Miles (140 000 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 +.)
87,000 Miles (145 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
90,000 Miles (150 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
qReplace engine air cleaner ®lter. SeeEngine
Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17for more information.An Emission Control Service.
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-50for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
93,000 Miles (155 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
96,000 Miles (160 000 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 +.)
99,000 Miles (165 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
6-10