2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU warning light

When your brake uid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-36.
What to Add
When you do need brake uid, use only DOT-3 brake
uid. Use new brake uid from a sealed container
only. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-12.
Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help keep dirt
from entering the reservoir.
{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 will have to be replaced.
Do not 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.
SeeAppearance Care on page 5-78. United States
Canada
5-36

Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and may have either
rear drum brakes or rear disc 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 will not 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.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to GM torque specications.
If you have rear drum brakes, they do not have wear
indicators, but if you ever hear a rear brake rubbing
noise, have the rear brake linings inspected immediately.
Also, the rear brake drums should be removed and
inspected each time the tires are removed for rotation
or changing. When you have the front brake pads
replaced, have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
5-37

Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The following information relates to the system
developed by the United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, which grades tires by
treadwear, traction and temperature performance.
(This applies only to vehicles sold in the United States.)
The grades are molded on the sidewalls of most
passenger car tires. The Uniform Tire Quality Grading
system does not apply to deep tread, winter-type
snow tires, space-saver or temporary use spare tires,
tires with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches
(25 to 30 cm), or to some limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General Motors passenger
cars and light trucks may vary with respect to these
grades, they must also conform to federal safety
requirements and additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specied government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart signicantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B, and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specied government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance. Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
5-61

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-20
Adding Washer Fluid.......................................5-34
Additional Program Information........................... 7-9
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-7
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-87
Adjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal..................2-24
Adjusting the Speakers
(Balance/Fade)....................3-55, 3-62, 3-73, 3-86
Air Bag
Readiness Light..........................................3-34
Air Bag Systems.............................................1-52
How Does an Air Bag Restrain?....................1-58
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle.........1-60
What Makes an Air Bag Inate?....................1-58
What Will You See After an Air Bag Inates?......1-58
When Should an Air Bag Inate?...................1-57
Where Are the Air Bags?..............................1-54
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-22
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM).......7-10
AM .............................................................3-116
Antenna, Backglass.......................................3-119
Antenna, Fixed Mast......................................3-118
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System.....................................................3-119
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)............................ 4-7
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-37Appearance Care............................................5-78
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-81
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-84
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-78
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle..............5-81
Finish Damage............................................5-83
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-83
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-84
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-84
Weatherstrips..............................................5-81
Arming the System.........................................2-18
Audio Speakers..............................................3-98
Audio System(s).............................................3-52
Audio Steering Wheel Controls....................3-115
Backglass Antenna.....................................3-119
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player...............3-117
Care of Your CD and DVD Player................3-118
Care of Your CDs and DVDs.......................3-118
Fixed Mast Antenna...................................3-118
Radio with Cassette and CD.........................3-69
Radio with CD....................................3-53, 3-58
Radio with Six-Disc CD................................3-82
Rear Seat Audio (RSA).....................3-111, 3-113
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio Data
Systems (RDS)........................................3-53
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)................................3-52
1

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Theft-Deterrent Feature...............................3-115
Understanding Radio Reception...................3-116
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System...........3-119
Automatic Climate Control System.....................3-25
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-17
Automatic Transaxle
Fluid..........................................................5-23
Operation...................................................2-27
B
Backglass Antenna........................................3-119
Backing Up....................................................4-44
Battery..........................................................5-38
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-8
Battery Run-Down Protection............................3-20
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-23
Before You Drive............................................3-97
Brake
Parking......................................................2-29
System Warning Light..................................3-36
Brake Fluid....................................................5-35
Brake Pedal, Throttle.......................................2-24
Brake Wear...................................................5-37
Brakes..........................................................5-35
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-22
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-45
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-47
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-45
Headlamps.................................................5-45
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-49
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps........................................5-47
Buying New Tires...........................................5-60
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
Canada – Customer Assistance.......................... 7-5
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-7
Capacities and Specications............................5-96
Carbon Monoxide...........4-26, 4-40, 2-13, 2-15, 2-33
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-81
Your Cassette Tape Player..........................3-117
Your CD and DVD Player...........................3-118
Your CDs and DVDs..................................3-118
Cargo Lamp...................................................3-20
Cassette Tape Messages.................................3-79
Cassette Tape Player Service............................. 6-9
CD Adapter Kits.............................................3-80
CD Messages........................3-58, 3-69, 3-82, 3-96
2

Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-39
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-38
Heater, Engine............................................2-25
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-26
Cooling System..............................................5-29
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Cruise Control Light........................................3-43
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-44
Current and Past Model Order Forms................7-13
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-8
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................................................ 7-6
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors.......7-12
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-12
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government............................................7-11
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-12D
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).........................3-17
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting.........................3-24, 3-29
Delayed Headlamps........................................3-18
Delayed Locking.............................................2-12
Dinghy Towing................................................4-32
Disarming the System.....................................2-19
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Dolly Towing..................................................4-34
Dome Lamp...................................................3-19
Door
Delayed Locking..........................................2-12
Door Ajar Reminder.....................................2-12
Locks........................................................2-10
Power Door Locks.......................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-12
Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-16
Six-Way Power Seat...................................... 1-3
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-45
DIC Operation and Displays..........................3-46
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-50
4

Driving
At Night.....................................................4-16
City...........................................................4-21
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Freeway.....................................................4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-24
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-18
Winter........................................................4-26
Driving On Grades..........................................4-45
Driving on Snow or Ice....................................4-27
Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-20
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-20
Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-44
DVD
Cleaning the Video Screen..........................3-118
Cleaning Your DVD Player..........................3-118
Distortion..................................................3-116
Rear Seat Entertainment System...................3-96
DVD Messages.............................................3-102
DVD Player..................................................3-100
E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-87
Fuses........................................................5-88
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-87Electrical System (cont.)
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-87
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-87
Electronic Range Select Mode..........................2-29
Emergency Trunk Release Handle.....................2-14
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-41
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-22
Battery.......................................................5-38
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-39
Coolant......................................................5-24
Coolant Heater............................................2-25
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-39
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-38
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-14
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-14
Exhaust.....................................................2-33
Oil .............................................................5-17
Overheating................................................5-27
Starting......................................................2-23
Engine Compartment Fuse Block......................5-91
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing..................4-46
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-20
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)........................ 4-9
Active Light................................................3-38
Warning Light.............................................3-37
5

Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-6
Gate Operator and Canadian Programming........2-43
Glove Box.....................................................2-44
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-6
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-6
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-9
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-87
Headlamps....................................................5-45
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-45
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-45
Headlamps Off in Park (P)...............................3-18
Headlamps On Reminder................................... 3-9
Headphones...................................................3-97
Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-24
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-24
Hitches..........................................................4-43
HomeLink
®Transmitter....................................2-40
HomeLink®Transmitter, Programming................2-41Hood
Release.....................................................5-12
Horn............................................................... 3-7
How the System Alarm is Activated...................2-19
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank......5-30
How to Check................................................5-58
How to Detect a Tamper Condition....................2-19
How to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.......5-22
How to Turn Off the System Alarm....................2-19
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-15
Hydroplaning..................................................4-20
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-28
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-27
If the Light is Flashing.....................................3-40
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-41
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard.........................4-28
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-30
If You Do Decide To Pull a Trailer.....................4-41
Ignition Positions.............................................2-22
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-34
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-57
Information Mode (INFO Button)........................3-46
7