2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX Owners Manual

2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and push
the secondary hood release handle toward
the driver’s side of the vehicle.
3. Lift the hood.
4. Release the hood prop rod from its retainer
and put the hood prop into the slot marked
with an arrow.Before closing the hood, be sure all the ller caps
are on properly. Then lift the hood to relieve
pressure on the hood prop. Remove the hood prop
from the slot in the hood and return the prop to
its retainer. Lower the hood 8 to 12 inches
(20 to 30 cm) above the vehicle and release it
to latch fully. Check to make sure the hood
is closed and repeat the procedure if necessary.
353

Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the 2.2L L4 engine, here is what you will see:
354

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 364.
B. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 359.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 359.
D. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeCooling
System on page 374.E. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid” under
Brakes on page 381.
F. Battery. SeeBattery on page 384.
G. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 449.
H. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 380.
355

When you open the hood on the 3.5L V6 engine, here is what you will see:
356

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 364.
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir (If Equipped).
SeePower Steering Fluid on page 379
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 359.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 359.
E. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeCooling
System on page 374.F. Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap. See
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 371
G. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 381.
H. Battery. SeeBattery on page 384.
I. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 449.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 380.
357

When you open the hood on the 3.9L V6 engine, here is what you will see:
358

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 364.
B. Engine Coolant Bleed Valve. SeeCooling
System on page 374
C. Power Steering Fluid. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 379.
D. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick (Out of
View). See “Checking Fluid Level” under
Automatic Transaxle Fluid (2.2L L4 and
3.5L V6 Engines) on page 365orAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid (3.9L V6 Engine) on page 366.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 359.
F. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 359.
G. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeCooling
System on page 374.
H. Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap. See
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 371
I. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 381.
J. Battery. SeeBattery on page 384.K. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 380.
L. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 449.
Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the 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.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 354
for 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.
359

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 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 454.
Notice:Do not add too much oil. If the engine
has so much oil that the oil level gets above
the upper mark that shows the proper
operating range, the engine could be damaged.
SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 354for 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
360