2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU coolant

Service Vehicle Soon Light
This light will come on
briey when you turn
the ignition to ON.
It will stay on, or come on and a chime will sound if it
detects a problem on the vehicle. The Driver Information
Center (DIC) may display a message such as Low
Coolant, Power Steering, Engine Reduced Power, etc.
These messages may help you determine why the
service vehicle soon indicator is on. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-50. If this happens, see
your dealer as soon as possible.
Fuel Gage
Your fuel gage tells you about how much fuel you have
left, when the ignition is on. When the indicator nears
empty, the amber light located left of the pump symbol
will come on and you will hear a chime. You still
have a little fuel left, but you should get more soon.
United StatesCanada
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DOOR AJAR:This message is displayed if one or
more of the vehicle’s doors are not closed properly.
When this message appears, you should make sure
that the door is closed completely.
ENGINE DISABLED:This message is displayed if the
starting of the engine is disabled. Have y our vehicle
serviced by your dealership immediately.
ENG PWR REDUCED:This message informs you that
the vehicle has reduced engine power to avoid
damaging the engine.
ICE POSSIBLE:This message appears when the
outside air temperature is cold enough to create icy
road conditions.
KEY FOB BATT LOW:This message is displayed if
the remote keyless entry transmitter battery is low.
LOW COOLANT:This message is displayed when
there is a low level of engine coolant. Have the cooling
system serviced by a technician as soon as possible.
LOW FUEL:This message is displayed when your
vehicle is low on fuel. You should rell the tank as soon
as possible. You will also see a low fuel warning light
on the instrument panel cluster.LOW WASHER FLUID:This message is displayed
when your vehicle is low on windshield washer uid.
You should rell the tank as soon as possible.
POWER STEERING:This message is displayed if a
problem has been detected with the electric power
steering. Have your vehicle serviced immediately.
PUSH PARK PEDAL:This message is displayed if
the parking brake is left engaged and you try to
drive away.
SERVICE AIR BAG:There is a problem with the air
bag system when this message appears. Let only
a qualied technician work on your vehicle. Have your
vehicle serviced by your dealership immediately.
TRUNK OR GATE AJAR:This message is displayed
when the trunk lid or liftgate of your vehicle is not closed
completely. You should make sure that the trunk lid or
liftgate is closed completely.
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Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need additional
wiring. Check with your dealer. The arrows on your
instrument panel will ash whenever you signal a turn or
lane change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps
will also ash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Notice:Do not tow on steep continuous grades
exceeding 6 miles (9.6 km). Extended, higher
than normal engine and transaxle temperatures may
result and damage your vehicle. Frequent stops
are very important to allow the engine and transaxle
to cool.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforeyou start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
Pay attention to the engine coolant gage. If the indicator
is in the red area, turn off the air conditioning to reduce
engine load. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-27.
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Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-8
Filling Your Tank............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-11
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-12
Hood Release..............................................5-12
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-14
Engine Oil...................................................5-17
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-22
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-23
Engine Coolant.............................................5-24
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-26
Engine Overheating.......................................5-27
Cooling System............................................5-29
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-34Brakes........................................................5-35
Battery........................................................5-38
Jump Starting...............................................5-39
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-45
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-45
Headlamps..................................................5-45
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-47
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps.........................................5-47
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-49
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-49
Tires..............................................................5-50
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-57
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-58
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-59
Buying New Tires.........................................5-60
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-61
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-62
Wheel Replacement......................................5-62
Tire Chains..................................................5-64
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-65
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-66
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-77
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22.
B. Engine Oil Dipstick.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-17.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-17.
D. Engine Coolant Reservoir.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-24.
E. Brake Fluid Reservoir.
SeeBrakes on page 5-35.F. Battery.
SeeBattery on page 5-38.
G. Engine Compartment Fuse Block.
See “Engine Compartment Fuse Block”
underFuses on page 5-88.
H. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir.
SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 5-34.
5-15

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22.
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-17.
C. Engine Oil Dipstick.
SeeEngine Oil on page 5-17.
D. Engine Coolant Reservoir.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-24.
E. Brake Fluid Reservoir.
SeeBrakes on page 5-35.
F. Battery.
SeeBattery on page 5-38.
G. Engine Compartment Fuse Block.
See “Engine Compartment Fuse Block”
underFuses on page 5-88.
H. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir.
SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 5-34.Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-14for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
Pull the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down and check the level.
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Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add
only DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how
to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating
on page 5-27.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F(−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C)
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-halfclean, drinkable waterand
one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which won’t damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
{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 would not 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
®coolant.
Notice:If you use an improper coolant mixture, your
engine could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cost would not be covered by your warranty.
Too much water in the mixture can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
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If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
Notice:If you use the proper coolant, you do not
have to add extra inhibitors or additives which claim
to improve the system. These can be harmful.
Checking Coolant
The engine coolant surge tank is located in the rear of
the engine compartment. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14for more information on location.
{CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. Never turn the surge tank pressure
cap — even a little — when the engine and
radiator are hot.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the
FULL COLD mark or slightly higher.
If the low coolant message is displayed in the Driver
Information Center (DIC), it means you’re low on engine
coolant. Have the system serviced by a technician as
soon as possible.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-50for
more information.
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