2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU change time

They can all be hazardous — some more than
others — and they can all damage the vehicle, too.
Do not use any of these products unless this manual
says you can. In many uses, these will damage the
vehicle:
Alcohol
Laundry Soap
Bleach
Reducing Agents
Fabric/Carpet
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose
dirt. Wipe vinyl, leather, plastic, and painted surfaces
with a clean, damp cloth.
Your GM dealer has cleaners for the cleaning of fabric
and carpet. They will clean normal spots and stains
very well.
If the vehicle has the Ultra Lux
®suede fabric, follow the
listed procedures except do not use any solvents or
dry cleaning products.Here are some cleaning tips:
Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.
Clean up stains as soon as you can — before
they set.
Carefully scrape off any excess stain.
Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a clean
area often. A soft brush may be used if stains are
stubborn.
To avoid forming a ring on fabric after spot cleaning,
clean the entire area immediately or it will set.
Most stains can be removed with club soda water. To
clean, use the following instructions:
1. For liquids: blot with a clean, soft white cloth.
For solids: remove as much as possible and
then vacuum or brush.
2. Apply club soda water to a clean, soft white cloth. Do
not over-saturate; the cloth should not drip water.
3. Clean the entire area. Avoid getting the fabric
too wet.
4. Start cleaning from the seams into the stain to
avoid a ring effect.
5. Continue cleaning, using a clean area of the cloth
each time it becomes soiled.
6. When the stain is removed, blot the cleaned area
with another dry clean, soft white cloth.
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Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level and
change as recommended.
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements your new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet or your dealer
for details.
Maintenance Requirements
Notice:Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections,
replacement parts, and recommended uids and
lubricants as prescribed in this manual are
necessary to keep your vehicle in good working
condition. Any damage caused by failure to follow
scheduled maintenance may not be covered by
warranty.
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance is
important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even
affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper uid
levels or the wrong tire ination can increase the level of
emissions from your vehicle. To help protect our
environment, and to keep your vehicle in good condition,
be sure to maintain your vehicle properly.
Using the Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to help you keep your
vehicle in good working condition. But we do not know
exactly how you will drive it. You may drive very
short distances only a few times a week. Or you may
drive long distances all the time in very hot, dusty
weather. You may use your vehicle in making deliveries.
Or you may drive it to work, to do errands or in many
other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may need more
frequent checks and replacements. So please read
the following and note how you drive. If you have any
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good condition,
see your GM Goodwrench
®dealer.
6-2

Scheduled Maintenance
When the Change Oil Soon message in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) comes on, it means that
service is required for your vehicle. Have your vehicle
serviced as soon as possible within the next 600 miles
(1 000 km). It is possible that, if you are driving
under the best conditions, the engine oil life system may
not indicate that vehicle service is necessary for over
a year. However, your engine oil and lter must be
changed at least once a year and at this time the system
must be reset. Your GM Goodwrench
®dealer has
GM-trained service technicians who will perform this
work using genuine GM parts and reset the system.
If the engine oil life system is ever reset accidentally,
you must service your vehicle within 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) since your last service. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is changed. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 5-18for information on
the Engine Oil Life System and resetting the system.When the Change Oil Soon message appears, certain
services, checks, and inspections are required.
Required services are described in the following for
“MaintenanceI” and “MaintenanceII.” Generally,
it is recommended that your rst service be
MaintenanceI, your second service be MaintenanceII,
and that you alternate MaintenanceIand MaintenanceII
thereafter. However, in some cases, MaintenanceII
may be required more often.
MaintenanceI— Use MaintenanceIif the message
comes on within 10 months since the vehicle was
purchased or MaintenanceIIwas performed.
MaintenanceII— Use MaintenanceIIif the previous
service performed was MaintenanceI. Always use
MaintenanceIIwhenever the message comes on
10 months or more since the last service or if the
message has not come on at all for one year.
6-4

While we hope you never have the occasion to use our
service, it is added security while traveling for you
and your family. Remember, we are only a phone call
away. Chevrolet Roadside Assistance:
1-800-CHEV-USA (1-800-243-8872), text
telephone (TTY) users, call1-888-889-2438.
Chevrolet reserves the right to limit services or
reimbursement to an owner or driver when, in
Chevrolet’s judgement, the claims become excessive in
frequency or type of occurrence.
Roadside Assistance is not part of or included in the
coverage provided by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Chevrolet reserves the right to make any changes or
discontinue the Roadside Assistance program at
any time without notication.
Canadian Roadside Assistance
Vehicles purchased in Canada have an extensive
roadside assistance program accessible from anywhere
in Canada or the United States. Please refer to the
Warranty and Owner Assistance Information book.
Courtesy Transportation
To enhance your ownership experience, we and our
participating dealers are proud to offer Courtesy
Transportation, a customer support program for
new vehicles.
The Courtesy Transportation program is offered to
customers in conjunction with the Bumper-to-Bumper
coverage provided by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Several transportation options are available when
warranty repairs are required. This will reduce your
inconvenience during warranty repairs.
Scheduling Service Appointments
When your vehicle requires warranty service, you should
contact your dealer and request an appointment. By
scheduling a service appointment and advising
your service consultant of your transportation needs,
your dealer can help minimize your inconvenience.
If your vehicle cannot be scheduled into the service
department immediately, keep driving it until it can be
scheduled for service, unless, of course, the problem is
safety-related. If it is, please call your dealership, let
them know this, and ask for instructions.
If the dealer requests that you simply drop the vehicle
off for service, you are urged to do so as early in
the work day as possible to allow for the same
day repair.
7-7

Additional Program Information
Courtesy Transportation is available during the
Bumper-to-Bumper warranty coverage period, but it is
not part of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. A
separate booklet entitledWarranty and Owner
Assistance Informationfurnished with each new vehicle
provides detailed warranty coverage information.
Courtesy Transportation is available only at participating
dealers and all program options, such as shuttle
service, may not be available at every dealer. Please
contact your dealer for specic information about
availability. All Courtesy Transportation arrangements
will be administered by appropriate dealer personnel.
Canadian Vehicles:For warranty repairs during
the Complete Vehicle Coverage period of the General
Motors of Canada New Vehicle Limited Warranty,
alternative transportation may be available under the
Courtesy Transportation Program. Please consult
your dealer for details.
General Motors reserves the right to unilaterally modify,
change or discontinue Courtesy Transportation at
any time and to resolve all questions of claim eligibility
pursuant to the terms and conditions described
herein at its sole discretion.
Vehicle Data Collection and Event
Data Recorders
Your vehicle, like other modern motor vehicles, has a
number of sophisticated computer systems that monitor
and control several aspects of the vehicle’s performance.
Your vehicle uses on-board vehicle computers to monitor
emission control components to optimize fuel economy,
to monitor conditions for airbag deployment and, if so
equipped, to provide anti-lock braking and to help the
driver control the vehicle in difficult driving situations.
Some information may be stored during regular
operations to facilitate repair of detected malfunctions;
other information is stored only in a crash event by
computer systems, such as those commonly called event
data recorders (EDR).
In a crash event, computer systems, such as the Airbag
Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM) in your vehicle
may record information about the condition of the vehicle
and how it was operated, such as data related to
engine speed, brake application, throttle position, vehicle
speed, safety belt usage, airbag readiness, airbag
performance, and the severity of a collision. This
information has been used to improve vehicle crash
performance and may be used to improve crash
performance of future vehicles and driving safety. Unlike
the data recorders on many airplanes, these on-board
systems do not record sounds, such as conversation of
vehicle occupants.
7-9

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.
7-12

Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage .........................................................3-46
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-5
Fuses...........................................................5-83
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................5-86
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-84
Rear Compartment Fuse Block......................5-88
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-83
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-40
Fuel..........................................................3-46
Speedometer..............................................3-32
Tachometer.................................................3-32
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-40
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-5
Glove Box.....................................................2-44
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-6
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-83
Headlamps....................................................5-41
Automatic Headlamp System.........................3-17
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-41
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-16
Delayed.....................................................3-16
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-41
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-16
Headlamps Off in Park (P)...............................3-16
Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Heater...................................................3-21, 3-25
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-45
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-22
HomeLink
®Wireless Control System.................2-40
HomeLink®Wireless Control System
Operation...................................................2-41
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn ............................................................... 3-6
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-16
6

S
Safety Belt
Passenger Reminder Light............................3-33
Pretensioners..............................................1-32
Reminder Light............................................3-33
Safety Belts
Care of ......................................................5-77
Driver Position............................................1-16
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-16
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.....1-15
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides...................1-28
Rear Seat Passengers.................................1-25
Right Front Passenger Position......................1-24
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-32
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-24
Safety Belts Are for Everyone.......................1-10
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster........................1-23
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Seatback, Folding Passenger............................. 1-6
Seats
Head Restraints............................................ 1-6
Heated Seats............................................... 1-4
Manual........................................................ 1-2
Manual Lumbar............................................. 1-3
Passenger Folding Seatback........................... 1-6
Rear Seat Operation...................................... 1-8Seats (cont.)
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-4
Six-Way Power Driver.................................... 1-3
Securing a Child Restraint
Rear Seat Position......................................1-53
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-56
Security Light.................................................3-44
Service........................................................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.............................................. 5-5
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-4
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-41
Publications Ordering Information...................7-11
Vehicle Soon Light.......................................3-45
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..............1-74
Setting the Time
Radios with Radio Data Systems (RDS).........3-55
Radios without Radio Data Systems (RDS).....3-54
Sheet Metal Damage.......................................5-80
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-29
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-31
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster...........................1-23
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change.......................... 3-8
Spare Tire
Compact....................................................5-73
Installing....................................................5-65
Removing...................................................5-63
Storing.......................................................5-70
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