2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU air filter

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.
5-17

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-14
for more information on location.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at every oil change
and replace at the rst oil change after
25,000 miles (40 000 km).
How to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
1. Remove the screws that hold the cover on.
2. Disconnect the electrical connector.
3. Lift off the cover.
4. Remove the lter and lightly shake the lter to
release loose dust and dirt. If the lter remains
caked with dirt, a new lter is required.
5-22

Capacities and Specications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. Please refer toRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12for more information.
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to ll to the appropriate level, as recommended in this manual.
Capacities
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a
Use Refrigerant Oil, R134a Systems1.1 lbs. 0.6 kg
Automatic Transaxle Complete Overhaul 9.5 quarts 9.0 L
Cooling System
2.2L Engine
3.5L Engine6.9 quarts
10.1 quarts6.5 L
9.6 L
Engine Oil with Filter
2.2L Engine
3.5L Engine4.0 quarts
5.0 quarts3.8 L
4.7 L
Fuel Tank 16.1 gallons 61.1 L
Wheel Nut Torque 100 lb-ft 140Y
Engine Specications
Engine VIN Code Transaxle Spark Plug Gap
2.2L L4 F Automatic 0.042 inch. (1.06 mm)
3.5L LX9 8 Automatic 0.060 inch. (1.52 mm)
5-96

Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and lter. Reset oil life system. SeeEngine Oil on
page 5-17.An Emission Control Service.••
Visually check for any leaks or damage.See footnote (j).••
Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22.An Emission Control Service. See footnote †.••
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. SeeTires on page 5-50.••
Inspect brake system.See footnote (a).••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels and add uid as
needed.••
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services” in
this section.••
Inspect suspension and steering components.See footnote (b).•
Inspect engine cooling system.See footnote (c).•
Inspect wiper blades.See footnote (d).•
Inspect restraint system components.See footnote (e).•
Lubricate body components.See footnote (f).•
Inspect throttle system.See footnote (g).•
6-5

Additional Required Services
The following services should be performed at the rst maintenance service (IorII) after the indicated
miles (kilometers) shown for each item.
Additional Required Services
Service and Miles (Kilometers)25,000
(41 500)50,000
(83 000)75,000
(125 000)100,000
(166 000)125,000
(207 500)150,000
(240 000)
Inspect fuel system for damage
or leaks.••••••
Inspect exhaust system for loose or
damaged components.••••••
Replace engine air cleaner lter.
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 5-22.An Emission Control
Service.••••••
Change automatic transaxle uid
and lter (severe service only).See
footnote (h).•••
Replace spark plugs. Inspect spark
plug wires (V6 only).An Emission
Control Service.•
Engine cooling system service (or
every 5 years, whichever occurs
rst).An Emission Control Service.
See footnote (i).•
Inspect engine accessory drive belt.
An Emission Control Service.•
6-6

Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
Replacement parts identied below by name, part number, or specication can be obtained from your dealer.
Part GM Part Numbers ACDelco®Part
Numbers
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 24577608 A1615C
Engine Oil Filter
2.2L Engine
3.5L Engine24460713
25010792PF2244G
PF47
Spark Plugs
2.2L Engine
3.5L Engine25337472
1256838741–981
41–101
Windshield Wiper Blades
Passenger’s Side
Driver’s Side19.6 inches (48.0 cm)
22.0 inches (56.0 cm)50.0 cm
55.0 cm
6-13