2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU engine coolant

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

Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer uid, be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you will be
operating your vehicle in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use a uid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
When the windshield washer uid reservoir is low, a
LOW WASHER FLUID message will be displayed on the
Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-50for more information.
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it. Add
washer uid until the
tank is full. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for reservoir
location.Notice:
When using concentrated washer uid, follow the
manufacturer’s instructions for adding water.
Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer uid.
Water can cause the solution to freeze and
damage your washer uid tank and other parts of
the washer system. Also, water does not clean as
well as washer uid.
Fill your washer uid tank only three-quarters full
when it is very cold. This allows for expansion if
freezing occurs, which could damage the tank if
it is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in your
windshield washer. It can damage your washer
system and paint.
5-38

Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and lter. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-17. Reset oil life
system. SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 5-20.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.See footnote (k).•
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 5-63and “Tire Wear Inspection” inAt Least Once a Month
on page 6-9.••
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

(i)Drain, ush, and rell cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer perform
this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-26 for
what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap, and ller neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired and
the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.
(k)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect
the lter at each engine oil change.
(l)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive cracks,
or obvious damage. Replace belt if necessary.
Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure the safety,
dependability, and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your GM Goodwrench
®dealer can assist you
with these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks at
each fuel ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-17for further
details.
Notice:It is important to check your oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level. Failure to keep your
engine oil at the proper level can cause damage
to your engine not covered by your warranty.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture if necessary.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-26for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid level in the windshield
washer uid reservoir and add the proper uid if
necessary.
6-8

Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part
number, or specication may be obtained from
your dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil which meets
GM Standard GM6094M and
displays the American Petroleum
Institute Certied for Gasoline
Engines starburst symbol. GM
Goodwrench
®oil meets all the
requirements for your vehicle.
To determine the proper viscosity
for your vehicle’s engine, see
Engine Oil on page 5-17.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-26.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco
®Supreme 11 Brake Fluid
or equivalent DOT-3 brake uid.
Windshield
WasherGM Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Hydraulic
Power Steering
System
(if equipped)GM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021184,
in Canada 89021186).
Automatic
TransaxleDEXRON
®-VI Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474).
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Secondary
Latch,
Pivots, Spring
Anchor, and
Release PawlLubriplate Lubricant Aerosol
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346293,
in Canada 992723) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Hood and Door
HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 109435474).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningDielectric Silicone Grease
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345579,
in Canada 992887).
6-12

Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-40
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-40
Heater, Engine............................................2-26
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-29
Cooling System..............................................5-32
Cruise Control................................................3-11
Cruise Control Light........................................3-45
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-50
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 Reimbursement Program............... 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-15
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-15
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government............................................7-14
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-15
D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-16
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Delayed Headlamps........................................3-16Delayed Locking.............................................2-13
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Dome Lamp ...................................................3-19
Door
Delayed Locking..........................................2-13
Door Ajar Reminder.....................................2-12
Locks........................................................2-11
Power Door Locks.......................................2-12
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-13
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-14
Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-19
Six-Way Power Seat...................................... 1-3
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-47
DIC Operation and Displays..........................3-47
DIC Vehicle Personalization..........................3-52
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-50
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-18
City ...........................................................4-22
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-3
Freeway.....................................................4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-25
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-20
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-33
Winter........................................................4-27
DVD
Rear Seat Entertainment System...................3-86
4

E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-98
Engine Compartment Fuse Block.................5-102
Fuses........................................................5-99
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-99
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-100
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-99
Rear Compartment Fuse Block....................5-104
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-99
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-22
Battery.......................................................5-42
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-41
Coolant......................................................5-26
Coolant Heater............................................2-26
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-40
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-40
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-36
Oil .............................................................5-17
Oil Life System...........................................5-20
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-31
Overheating................................................5-29
Starting......................................................2-24
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)......................4-11
Active Light................................................3-39
Warning Light.............................................3-39Entry/Exit Lighting...........................................3-19
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................7-10
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-34
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-22
Finish Damage...............................................5-96
Fixed Mast Antenna.......................................3-108
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-71
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-72
Flat Tire, Storing.............................5-82, 5-84, 5-86
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.............................5-23, 5-24
Power Steering...........................................5-36
Windshield Washer......................................5-38
Fog Lamps ....................................................3-18
Folding Seatback, Passenger............................. 1-8
Front Reading Lamps......................................3-20
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-8
5

Fuel (cont.)
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage .........................................................3-46
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-5
Fuses...........................................................5-99
Engine Compartment Fuse Block.................5-102
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.......................5-100
Rear Compartment Fuse Block....................5-104
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-99
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-40
Fuel..........................................................3-46
Speedometer..............................................3-34
Tachometer.................................................3-34
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-46
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-5
Glove Box.....................................................2-50
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-7
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-99
Headlamps
Automatic Headlamp System.........................3-17
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-47
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-16
Delayed.....................................................3-16
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-47
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and Parking
Lamps ....................................................5-48
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-16
Headlamps Off in Park (P)...............................3-16
Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Heater...................................................3-22, 3-27
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-45
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-25
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-25
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn ............................................................... 3-6
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-19
6