2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU check engine light

DIC Warnings and Messages
These messages will appear if there is a problem
detected in one of your vehicle’s systems.
Any message will clear when the vehicle’s condition
is no longer present. To acknowledge a message and
clear it from the display, press any of the three DIC
buttons. The warning message will come back on
the next time the vehicle is turned off and back on
if the condition is still present. With most messages,
a warning chime will sound when the message is
displayed. Your vehicle may have other warning
messages.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS OFF:This message will
display if the automatic headlamp system is disabled
with the headlamp switch.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS ON:This message will
display if the automatic headlamp system is enabled
with the headlamp switch.
BRAKE FLUID:This message will display to inform the
driver that the brake uid level is low while the ignition
is in ON. Have the brake system serviced by your
GM dealer as soon as possible.CHANGE OIL SOON:This message will display when
the life of the engine oil has expired and it should be
changed.
When you acknowledge the CHANGE OIL SOON
message by clearing it from the display, you still must
reset the engine oil life system separately. SeeEngine
Oil Life System on page 5-20,Engine Oil on page 5-17,
andScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4for more
information.
CHECK GAS CAP:This message will display if the
gas cap has not been fully tightened. You should
recheck your gas cap to make sure that it is on properly.
A few driving trips with the cap properly installed
should turn the message off.
DOOR AJAR:This message will display if one or more
of the vehicle’s doors are not closed properly. When
this message displays, you should make sure that the
door is closed completely.
ENGINE DISABLED:This message will display if the
starting of the engine is disabled. Have your vehicle
serviced immediately by your GM dealer.
3-50

Competitive Driving (SS Only)
See your warranty book before using your vehicle for
competitive driving. After reviewing your warranty book,
please see the GM Performance Parts website or
catalog for parts and equipment required for
competitive driving.
Notice:If you use your vehicle for racing or other
competitive driving, the engine may use more
oil than it would with normal use. Low oil levels can
damage the engine. Be sure to check the oil level
often during racing or other competitive driving and
keep the level at or near the upper mark that
shows the proper operating range on the engine oil
dipstick. For information on how to add oil, see
Engine Oil on page 5-17.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to be
impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust the inside rearview mirror to reduce the glare
from headlamps behind you.
Since you cannot see as well, you may need to
slow down and keep more space between you
and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
vehicle’s headlamps can light up only so much
road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
4-18

Expect to move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit, do
not, under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive
on to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce your speed
according to your speedometer, not to your sense
of motion. After driving for any distance at higher
speeds, you may tend to think you are going slower
than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you are ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you are not fresh — such as after
a day’s work — do not plan to make too many miles
that rst part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing
and shoes you can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it is ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you will nd experienced and able service experts in
GM dealerships all across North America. They will be
ready and willing to help if you need it.Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
4-24

{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could
overcome you and kill you. You cannot see it
or smell it, so you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from around the
base of your vehicle, especially any that is
blocking your exhaust pipe. And check around
again from time to time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the wind. This will
help keep CO out.Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little
faster than just idle. That is, push the accelerator
slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get and
it keeps the battery charged. You will need a
well-charged battery to restart the vehicle, and possibly
for signaling later on with your headlamps. Let the
heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost all
the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again and
repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable from
the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the fuel
as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get out
of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.
4-31

How to Add Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle uid to use. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-12.
If the uid level is low, add only enough of the proper
uid to bring the level into the crosshatched area on
the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough uid at
the dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It does not take much uid, generally less than
one pint (0.5 L). Do not overll.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic transaxle
uid may damage your vehicle, and the damages
may not be covered by your warranty. Always
use the automatic transaxle uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
3. After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check Automatic
Transaxle Fluid,” earlier in this section.
4. When the correct uid level is obtained,
push the dipstick back in all the way.
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 ve 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 5-29.
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 the rst maintenance
service after each 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.
5-26

Checking Coolant
The engine coolant surge tank is located in the rear of
the engine compartment. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for 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 are 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.
5-28

Headlamp Wiring
The headlamp wiring is protected by fuses, one for
each headlamp, in the fuse block. An electrical overload
will cause the lamps to turn off. If this happens, have
your headlamp wiring checked right away.
Windshield Wiper Fuses
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit
breaker and a fuse. If the motor overheats due to heavy
snow, etc., the wiper will stop until the motor cools.
If the overload is caused by some electrical problem,
have it xed.
Power Windows and Other
Power Options
The power window motors are protected by a circuit
breaker in the motor, and a fuse in the fuse panel. If the
motor overheats due to a heavy load the window will stop
until the motor cools. When the current load is too heavy
the fuse will open, protecting the circuit until the problem
is xed.
Fuses
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by fuses and fusible thermal links in
the wiring itself.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the identical
size and rating.
If you ever have a problem on the road and don’t have
a spare fuse, you can borrow one that has the same
amperage. Just pick a feature of your vehicle that
you can get along without — like the radio or cigarette
lighter — and use its fuse, if it is the correct amperage.
Replace it as soon as you can.
There are three fuse blocks in your vehicle: one in
the center of the instrument panel, one in the engine
compartment and one in the trunk.
There is a fuse puller located on the instrument panel
fuse block. It can be used to easily remove fuses
from the fuse block.
5-99

C
Calibration.............................................2-39, 2-41
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-3
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-107
Carbon Monoxide...........2-15, 2-16, 2-36, 4-27, 4-42
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-93
Your CD and DVD Player...........................3-107
Your CDs and DVDs ..................................3-107
Cargo Lamp...................................................3-20
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-50
Chains, Tire...................................................5-70
Charging System Light....................................3-36
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-41
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-96
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-40
Infants and Young Children...........................1-36
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-45
Older Children.............................................1-34
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position..................................................1-54
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-56Child Restraints (cont.)
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-44
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-22
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-95
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-93
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-90
Finish Care.................................................5-94
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-89
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-92
Leather......................................................5-91
Tires..........................................................5-95
Ultra Lux Suede..........................................5-92
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-96
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-93
Weatherstrips..............................................5-93
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-94
Climate Control System...................................3-22
Automatic...................................................3-27
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-31
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-11
Comfort Guides, Rear Safety Belt.....................1-30
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-88
Compass...............................................2-39, 2-41
Competitive Driving.........................................4-18
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-18
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Convenience Net............................................2-52
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