2006 CHEVROLET MALIBU oil level

Traction Control System (TCS) Warning
Light........................................................3-38
Traction Control System Active Light...............3-38
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light.........3-39
Enhanced Traction System Active Light............3-39
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light......3-40
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-40
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-41
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-44
Security Light...............................................3-45
Cruise Control Light......................................3-45
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-45
Fuel Gage...................................................3-46
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-47
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-47
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-50
DIC Vehicle Personalization............................3-52Audio System(s).............................................3-54
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)..................................3-55
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio Data
Systems (RDS).........................................3-55
Radio with CD (Base Level)...........................3-56
Radio with CD (Up Level)..............................3-61
Radio with Six-Disc CD.................................3-71
Rear Seat Entertainment System....................3-86
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)
(Without Entertainment System).................3-101
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)
(With Entertainment System).....................3-103
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-105
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
(Three Spoke).........................................3-105
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
(Four Spoke)...........................................3-106
Radio Reception.........................................3-106
Care of Your CDs and DVDs........................3-107
Care of the CD and DVD Player...................3-107
Fixed Mast Antenna (MAXX Only).................3-108
Backglass Antenna (Sedan Only)..................3-108
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-108
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

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

AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM,
especially at night. The longer range can cause station
frequencies to interfere with each other. For better radio
reception, most AM radio stations will boost the power
levels during the day, and then reduce these levels during
the night. Static can also occur when things like storms
and power lines interfere with radio reception. When this
happens, try reducing the treble on your radio.
FM Stereo
FM stereo will give the best sound, but FM signals will
reach only about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). Tall
buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals, causing
the sound to fade in and out.
XM™ Satellite Radio Service
XM™ Satellite Radio Service gives digital radio reception
from coast-to-coast in the 48 contiguous United States,
and in Canada (if available). Just as with FM, tall
buildings or hills can interfere with satellite radio signals,
causing the sound to fade in and out. In addition,
traveling or standing under heavy foliage, bridges,
garages, or tunnels may cause loss of the XM™ signal
for a period of time. The radio may display NO SIGNAL
to indicate interference.
Care of Your CDs and DVDs
Handle CDs carefully. Store them in their original
cases or other protective cases and away from direct
sunlight and dust. The CD player scans the bottom
surface of the disc. If the surface of a CD is damaged,
such as cracked, broken, or scratched, the CD will
not play properly or not at all. If the surface of a CD
is soiled, take a soft, lint free cloth or dampen a clean,
soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution mixed
with water, and clean it. Make sure the wiping process
starts from the center to the edge.
Do not touch the bottom side of a CD while handling
it; this could damage the surface. Pick up CDs by
grasping the outer edges or the edge of the hole and
the outer edge.
Care of the CD and DVD Player
The use of CD lens cleaners for CDs is not advised, due
to the risk of contaminating the lens of the CD optics with
lubricants internal to the CD mechanism.
3-107

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

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22.
B. Engine Coolant Bleed Valve.
C. Power Steering Fluid. SeePower Steering Fluid
(3.9L V6 Engine) on page 5-36.
D. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick (Out of View).
See “Checking Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid (2.2L L4 and 3.5L V6 Engines) on
page 5-23orAutomatic Transaxle Fluid (3.9L
V6 Engine) on page 5-24.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
F. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-17.
G. Engine Coolant Reservoir. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-26.
H. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 5-39.
I. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-42.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-38.
K. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 5-102.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 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. 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

When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the MIN mark for the L4 engine or below
the cross-hatched area at the tip of the dipstick for the
V6 engine, you will need to add at least one quart/liter of
oil. But you must use the right kind. This section explains
what kind of oil to use. For engine oil crankcase capacity,
seeCapacities and Specications on page 5-107.Notice:Do not add too much oil. If your engine has
so much oil that the oil level gets above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine
oil ll cap.
Be sure to add enough oil to put the level somewhere
in the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all
the way back in when you are through. L4 Engine
V6 Engine
5-18

If you are in an area of extreme cold, where
the temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard
GM6094M are all you will need for good performance
and engine protection.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and lter. This is based
on engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not
on mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage
at which an oil change will be indicated can vary
considerably. For the oil life system to work properly,
you must reset the system every time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has
been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A Change Oil Soon message will come on.
Change your oil 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 oil life system may
not indicate that an oil change 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 dealer has GM-trained service
people who will perform this work using genuine GM
parts and reset the system. It is also important to check
your oil regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must change
your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your last oil
change. Remember to reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed.
5-20