2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU Owners Manual

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

B
Backing Up....................................................4-38
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-6
Battery Run-Down Protection............................3-16
Battery..........................................................5-36
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-20
Body Lubrication Service..................................6-16
Brake............................................................2-23
Parking......................................................2-23
System Inspection.......................................6-20
System Warning Light..................................3-27
Brake Adjustment............................................5-35
Brake Fluid....................................................5-32
Brake Pedal Travel.........................................5-35
Brake Wear...................................................5-34
Brakes..........................................................5-32
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-16
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-42
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-44
Front Turn Signal Lamps..............................5-44
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-42
Headlamps.................................................5-42
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-47Bulb Replacement (cont.)
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps........................................5-45
Buying New Tires...........................................5-52
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
Canada ± Customer Assistance.......................... 7-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-6
Capacities and Speci®cations............................5-82
Carbon Monoxide...................4-23, 4-34, 2-11, 2-26
Care of.........................................................5-70
Safety Belts................................................5-70
Your Cassette Tape Player............................3-58
Your CD Player...........................................3-59
Your CDs ...................................................3-59
Cassette Tape Messages.................................3-54
Cassette Tape Player Service...........................6-15
CD Adapter Kits.............................................3-54
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-30
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-44
Center Rear Passenger Position, Safety Belts.....1-24
Chains, Tires..................................................5-55
2

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

Cruise Control.................................................. 3-9
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-30
Current and Past Model Order Forms................7-10
Customer Assistance Information........................ 7-7
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users............................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons
with Disabilities.......................................... 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to
General Motors.......................................... 7-9
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government................................ 7-9
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government.......................... 7-8
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-5
Service Publications Ordering Information......... 7-9
Customizing the Automatic Door Locks................ 2-9
D
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).........................3-12
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting.................................3-19
Delayed Headlamps........................................3-14
Delayed Locking............................................... 2-8Dinghy Towing................................................4-29
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-3
Dolly Towing..................................................4-30
Dome Lamp...................................................3-15
Door.............................................................3-34
Ajar Light...................................................3-34
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-8
Door Ajar Reminder....................................... 2-8
Locks.......................................................... 2-7
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-9
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-10
Driver............................................................1-12
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-12
Six-Way Power Seat...................................... 1-3
Driving..........................................................4-14
At Night.....................................................4-14
City...........................................................4-18
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Freeway.....................................................4-19
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-21
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-15
Winter........................................................4-23
Driving On Grades..........................................4-39
Driving on Snow or Ice....................................4-24
Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-17
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-17
Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-37
4

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

I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-23
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-22
If the Light Is Flashing.....................................3-31
If the Light Is on Steady..................................3-31
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-27
If You Do Decide To Pull a Trailer.....................4-35
If You're Caught in a Blizzard...........................4-25
Ignition Positions.............................................2-17
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check..........................6-18
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-31
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure..................................5-49
Inspection......................................................6-20
Brake System.............................................6-20
Engine Cooling System................................6-20
Exhaust System..........................................6-19
Fuel System...............................................6-19
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-19
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal.........................................6-19
Throttle System...........................................6-20
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-15
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Passenger's Side)....5-79
Instrument Panel Fuse Block (Driver's Side).......5-78
Instrument Panel.............................................3-23
Cluster.......................................................3-23
Overview..................................................... 3-2
Interior Lamps................................................3-15
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-36
K
Key Lock Cylinders Service..............................6-16
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-3
Keys............................................................... 2-2
L
Lamps...........................................................3-12
Exterior......................................................3-12
Interior.......................................................3-15
Lap Belt........................................................1-24
Lap-Shoulder Belt...................................1-12, 1-21
LATCH System...............................................1-40
Child Restraints...........................................1-40
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-41
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running.....................................................2-24
Leaving Your Vehicle.......................................2-11
Light.............................................................3-26
Air Bag Readiness.......................................3-26
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning...................3-28
Brake System Warning.................................3-27
7

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