2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU cooling

The coolant level should be at or above the FULL
COLD mark on the front of the coolant surge tank. If it
is not, you may have a leak at the pressure cap or in the
radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water pump, or
somewhere else in the cooling system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Do not touch them.
If you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you
run the engine, it could lose all coolant. That
could cause an engine re, and you could be
burned. Get any leak xed before you drive the
vehicle.If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check
to see if the electric engine cooling fans are running.
If the engine is overheating, both fans should be
running. If they are not, your vehicle needs service.
Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty.
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 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.
5-33

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
Notice:This vehicle has a specic coolant ll
procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could
cause your engine to overheat and be severely
damaged.
If you have not found a problem yet, check to see if
coolant is visible in the surge tank. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level is not at or above the FULL COLD
mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant at the coolant surge tank, but be
sure the cooling system, including the coolant surge tank
pressure cap, is cool before you do it. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-26for more information.If no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add coolant as
follows:
{CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They
are under pressure, and if you turn the coolant
surge tank pressure cap — even a little — they
can come out at high speed. Never turn the
cap when the cooling system, including the
coolant surge tank pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and coolant surge tank
pressure cap to cool if you ever have to turn
the pressure cap.
5-34

{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
1. You can remove the
coolant surge tank
pressure cap when
the cooling system,
including the coolant
surge tank pressure
cap and upper radiator
hose, is no longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise
about two or two and one-half turns. If you hear a
hiss, wait for that to stop. This will allow any pressure
still left to be vented out the discharge hose.
5-35

2. Then keep turning the pressure cap slowly, and
remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture, to
the FULL COLD mark on the front of the surge tank.
Wait about ve minutes, then check to see if the level
is below the FULL COLD mark. If the level is below
the FULL COLD mark, add additional coolant to bring
the level up to the mark. Repeat this procedure until
the level remains constant at the FULL COLD mark
for at least ve minutes.4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start
the engine and let it run until you can feel the upper
radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fans.
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank may be lower. If the level is lower than
the FULL COLD mark, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge tank until the level
reaches the FULL COLD mark.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
See your dealer, if necessary.
Power Steering Fluid
(3.9L V6 Engine)
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12
for reservoir location.
5-36

{CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel
bolts, or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be
dangerous. It could affect the braking and
handling of your vehicle, make your tires lose
air and make you lose control. You could have
a collision in which you or others could be
injured. Always use the correct wheel, wheel
bolts, and wheel nuts for replacement.
Notice:The wrong wheel can also cause problems
with bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper height,
vehicle ground clearance, and tire or tire chain
clearance to the body and chassis.
SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-72for more
information.
Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You cannot know how it has been
used or how far it has been driven. It could fail
suddenly and cause a crash. If you have to
replace a wheel, use a new GM original
equipment wheel.
5-69

Fuses Usage
1 Air Conditioning Clutch
2 Electronic Throttle Control
3 Ignition Module
4 Transmission
5 Fuel Injectors
6 Emission 1
7 Left Headlamp Low-Beam
8 Horn
9 Right Headlamp Low-Beam
10 Front Fog Lamps
11 Left Headlamp High-Beam
12 Right Headlamp High-Beam
13 Powertrain Control Module (Batt)
14 Windshield Wiper
15 Anti-lock Brake System
16 Powertrain Control Module (IGN 1)
17 Cooling Fan 1Fuses Usage
18 Cooling Fan 2
19 Run Relay
20 IBCM 1
21 IBCM (R/C)
22 Rear Electrical Center 1
23 Rear Electrical Center 2
24 Anti-lock Brake System
25 IBCM 2
26 Starter
27 (DIODE) Windshield Wiper
41 Electric Power Steering
42 Transmission Control Module
43 Ignition Module
44 Fuel Injectors
45 Intake Tuning Valve
46 (Resistor) Brake Lamp Diagnostic
47 Daytime Running Lamps
5-103

Relays Usage
28 Cooling Fan 1
29 Cooling Fan Mode Series/Parallel
30 Cooling Fan 2
31 Starter
32 Run/Crank, Ignition
33 Powertrain
34 Air Conditioning Clutch
35 High-Beam Headlamps
36 Front Fog Lamps
37 Horn
38 Low-Beam Headlamps
39 Windshield Wiper 1
40 Windshield Wiper 2
48 Daytime Running LampsRear Compartment Fuse Block
The rear compartment fuse block is located in the trunk of
the vehicle. Access the fuse block through the trunk panel
on the driver’s side of the rear cargo area.
5-104

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.
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a 1.1 lbs 0.6 kg
Automatic Transaxle Complete Overhaul
Automatic Transaxle 4T45-E 6.9 qt 6.5 L
Automatic Transaxle 4T65-E 7.4 qt 7.0 L
Cooling System
2.2L L4 Engine 7.5 qt 7.1 L
3.5L V6 Engine 9.9 qt 9.4 L
3.9L V6 Engine 9.8 qt 9.3 L
Engine Oil with Filter
2.2L L4 Engine 5.0 qt 4.7 L
3.5L V6 Engine 4.0 qt 3.8 L
3.9L V6 Engine 4.0 qt 3.8 L
Fuel Tank 16.1 gal 61.1 L
Wheel Nut Torque 100 lb ft 140Y
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to ll to the appropriate level, as recommended in this manual.
5-107