2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU Owners Manual

Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service General Motors cars
and trucks. Each bulletin contains instructions to
assist in the diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
In Canada, information pertaining to Product Service
Bulletins can be obtained by contacting your General
Motors dealer or by calling 1-800-GM-DRIVE
(1-800-463-7483).
Owner’s Information
Owner publications are written specically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner’s manual will include
the Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00
Current and Past Model Order Forms
Service Publications are available for current and
past model GM vehicles. To request an order form,
please specify year and model name of the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P. O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
7-13

✍NOTES
7-14

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

Center Console Storage Area...........................2-45
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-47
Chains, Tires..................................................5-64
Charging System Light....................................3-35
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-39
Check Engine Light.........................................3-39
Checking Coolant............................................5-25
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-17
Checking Your Restraint Systems......................1-60
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-84
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-38
Infants and Young Children...........................1-34
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-44
Older Children.............................................1-31
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-46
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position..................................................1-46
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-49
Top Strap...................................................1-42
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-43
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-41Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-78
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-81
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-84
Video Screen............................................3-118
Weatherstrips..............................................5-81
Your DVD Player.......................................3-118
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels..............................5-83
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-82
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-78
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-80
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-80
Cleaning Leather............................................5-80
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-80
Cleaning Tires................................................5-83
Cleaning Ultra Lux Suede................................5-80
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-80
Cleaning Windshield and Wiper Blades..............5-82
Climate Control System...................................3-21
Automatic...................................................3-25
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-30
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-77
Content Theft-Deferrent....................................2-18
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Convenience Net............................................2-47
3

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

Entertainment System
Cleaning the Video Screen..........................3-118
Cleaning Your DVD Player..........................3-118
DVD Distortion..........................................3-116
Entry/Exit Lighting...........................................3-19
Erasing HomeLink
®Buttons..............................2-43
Event Data Records (EDR)..............................7-10
Express-Down Window....................................2-17
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-30
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-22
Finding a Program Type (PTY) Station
(RDS and XM™).........................3-63, 3-74, 3-87
Finding a Station....................3-54, 3-60, 3-71, 3-84
Finish Care....................................................5-82
Finish Damage...............................................5-83
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-118
Flash-to-Pass Feature....................................... 3-9
Flat Tire........................................................5-65
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-66
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-23
Windshield Washer......................................5-34FM Stereo....................................................3-116
Fog Lamps....................................................3-18
Folding Seatback, Passenger............................. 1-6
Folding the Seatback........................................ 1-7
Following Distance..........................................4-44
Front Reading Lamps......................................3-19
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-7
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-11
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-8
Gage.........................................................3-44
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-6
Fuses...........................................................5-88
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-87
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-39
Fuel..........................................................3-44
Speedometer..............................................3-33
Tachometer.................................................3-33
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-40
6