2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX coolant temperature

How to Add Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
what kind of transaxle uid to use. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 468.
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 inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 468.
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 the cooling system and
how to add coolant when it is low. If there is
a problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 371.
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.
368

{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 the
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the FULL COLD mark or slightly higher.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture at the surge tank,
but only when the engine is cool. If the surge tank
is empty, a special ll procedure is necessary.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 371andCooling
System on page 374.
{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.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is
hand-tight and fully seated.
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and possible engine
damage may occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
Engine Overheating
You will nd an engine coolant temperature gage as
well as an engine coolant temperature warning light
on your vehicle’s instrument panel cluster. See
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage on page 211
andEngine Coolant Temperature Warning Light on
page 211.
371

If you get the overheat warning with no sign of
steam, try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in
NEUTRAL (N) while stopped. If it is safe to do
so, pull off the road, shift to PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) and let the engine idle.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest
fan speed and open the windows as
necessary.
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you
can drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for
about 10 minutes. If the warning does not come
back on, you can drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park
your vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes while you are parked. If you still
have the warning, turn off the engine and
get everyone out of the vehicle until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get
service help right away.Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode (3.5L V6 and
3.9L V6 Engines)
This emergency operating mode allows your
vehicle to be driven to a safe place in an
emergency situation. If an overheated engine
condition exists, an overheat protection mode
which alternates ring groups of cylinders helps
prevent engine damage. In this mode, you
will notice a signicant loss in power and engine
performance. The temperature gage will
indicate an overheat condition exists. Driving
extended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer in the
overheat protection mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine
damage, allow the engine to cool before
attempting any repair. The engine oil will be
severely degraded. Repair the cause of coolant
loss, change the oil and reset the oil life system.
SeeEngine Oil on page 359.
373

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 222
for more information.
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer uid
until the tank is full. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 354
for 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 uid 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
the vehicle’s windsheild washer system
and paint.
380

(h)Change automatic transmission uid and lter
if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C)
or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police,
or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the uid and lter do not require
changing.
(i)Drain, ush, and rell cooling system. This
service can be complex; you should have
your dealer/retailer perform this service. See
Engine Coolant on page 368 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 468.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks
at each fuel ll.
464

Clock
Radios with Radio Data
Systems (RDS)..................................... 230
Radios without Radio Data
Systems (RDS)..................................... 229
Collision Damage Repair............................. 487
Comfort Guides, Rear Safety Belt................. 37
Compact Spare Tire.................................... 434
Compass............................................139, 141
Competitive Driving..................................... 305
Content Theft-Deterrent............................... 113
Control of a Vehicle..................................... 292
Convenience Net......................................... 163
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage........................ 211
Engine Temperature Warning Light........... 211
Heater, Engine......................................... 122
Surge Tank Pressure Cap........................ 371
Cooling System........................................... 374
Cruise Control............................................. 176
Cruise Control Light.................................... 216
Cupholder(s)................................................ 160
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation........................... 483
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users......................... 479Customer Assistance Information (cont.)
Customer Assistance Offices.................... 479
Customer Satisfaction Procedure.............. 476
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program...... 480
Reporting Safety Defects to
General Motors..................................... 492
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government.......................... 491
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government.................... 491
Roadside Assistance Program.................. 481
Service Publications Ordering
Information........................................... 492
D
Daytime Running Lamps............................. 182
Defensive Driving........................................ 288
Delayed Headlamps.................................... 182
Delayed Locking.......................................... 106
Doing Your Own Service Work.................... 345
Dome Lamp................................................ 184
Door
Delayed Locking...................................... 106
Door Ajar Reminder................................. 105
498

Door (cont.)
Locks....................................................... 104
Power Door Locks................................... 105
Programmable Automatic
Door Locks........................................... 106
Rear Door Security Locks........................ 107
Driver
Position, Safety Belt................................... 26
Driver Information Center (DIC)................... 218
DIC Operation and Displays..................... 218
DIC Vehicle Personalization..................... 225
DIC Warnings and Messages................... 222
Driving
At Night................................................... 306
City.......................................................... 311
Defensive................................................. 288
Drunken................................................... 289
Freeway................................................... 312
Hill and Mountain Roads.......................... 315
In Rain and on Wet Roads...................... 307
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.......... 323
Winter...................................................... 317
DVD
Rear Seat Entertainment System............. 261E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment................................... 445
Engine Compartment Fuse Block............. 449
Fuses...................................................... 446
Headlamp Wiring..................................... 445
Instrument Panel Fuse Block................... 447
Power Windows and Other Power
Options................................................. 446
Rear Compartment Fuse Block................ 451
Windshield Wiper Fuses........................... 445
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter...................................... 364
Check and Service Engine Soon Light...... 212
Coolant.................................................... 368
Coolant Heater......................................... 122
Coolant Temperature Gage...................... 211
Coolant Temperature Warning Light.......... 211
Drive Belt Routing.................................... 470
Engine Compartment Overview................ 354
Exhaust................................................... 136
Oil ........................................................... 359
Oil Life System........................................ 362
499

G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.................... 211
Fuel......................................................... 217
Speedometer........................................... 200
Tachometer.............................................. 201
Garage Door Opener................................... 149
Gasoline
Octane..................................................... 346
Specications........................................... 347
Glove Box................................................... 160
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.......... 480
H
Hazard Warning Flashers............................ 170
Head Restraints............................................ 13
Headlamp Wiring......................................... 445
Headlamps
Bulb Replacement.................................... 389
Daytime Running Lamps.......................... 182
Delayed................................................... 182
Exterior Lamps......................................... 179
Flash-to-Pass........................................... 173Headlamps (cont.)
Halogen Bulbs......................................... 389
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and
Parking Lamps..................................... 390
High/Low Beam Changer......................... 172
On Reminder........................................... 181
Headlamps Off in Park (P).......................... 181
Heated Seats................................................ 10
Heater................................................188, 192
Highbeam On Light..................................... 216
High-Speed Operation, Tires........................ 407
Highway Hypnosis....................................... 314
Hill and Mountain Roads............................. 315
Hood
Checking Things Under............................ 352
Release................................................... 352
Horn............................................................ 170
How to Use This Manual................................ 3
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly............... 25
I
Ignition Positions......................................... 118
Infants and Young Children, Restraints.......... 45
Ination - Tire Pressure............................... 406
501