2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX check engine

Owner Checks and Services on page 464tells you
what should be checked, when to check it, and
what you can easily do to help keep your vehicle
in good condition.
The proper replacement parts, uids, and lubricants
to use are listed inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 468andNormal Maintenance
Replacement Parts on page 469. When your
vehicle is serviced, make sure these are used. All
parts should be replaced and all necessary repairs
done before you or anyone else drives the vehicle.
We recommend the use of genuine GM parts.
Scheduled Maintenance
When the CHANGE OIL SOON message in the
Driver Information Center (DIC) comes on, it means
that service is required for your vehicle. Have your
vehicle serviced 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 engine oil life
system may not indicate that vehicle service is
necessary for over a year. However, the engine oil
and lter must be changed at least once a year and
at this time the system must be reset. Your dealer/
retailer has trained service technicians who will
perform this work using genuine parts and reset
the system.If the engine oil life system is ever reset
accidentally, you must service your vehicle within
3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your last service.
Remember to reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed. SeeEngine Oil Life System on
page 362for information on the Engine Oil Life
System and resetting the system.
When the CHANGE OIL SOON message appears,
certain services, checks, and inspections are
required. Required services are described in the
following for “MaintenanceI” and “MaintenanceII.”
Generally, it is recommended that your rst service
be MaintenanceI, your second service be
MaintenanceII, and that you alternate
MaintenanceIand MaintenanceIIthereafter.
However, in some cases, MaintenanceIImay be
required more often.
MaintenanceI— Use MaintenanceIif the
message comes on within 10 months since the
vehicle was purchased or MaintenanceII
was performed.
MaintenanceII— Use MaintenanceIIif the
previous service performed was MaintenanceI.
Always use MaintenanceIIwhenever the message
comes on 10 months or more since the last
service or if the message has not come on at all
for one year.
460

Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and lter. SeeEngine Oil on page 359. Reset oil life system.
SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 362.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 364.See footnote (k).•
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 408and “Tire Wear Inspection” inAt Least Once a Month
on page 465.••
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).•
3.9L Engine Only: Check automatic transmission uid level and add uid
as needed.•
Inspect throttle system.See footnote (g).•
461

(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

Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper
oil if necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 359for
further details.
Notice:It is important to check the engine
oil regularly and keep it at the proper
level. Failure to keep the engine oil at the
proper level can cause damage to the engine
not covered by your warranty.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture if necessary. See
Engine Coolant on page 368for 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.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Inspect your vehicle’s tires and make sure they are
inated to the correct pressures. Do not forget to
check the spare tire. SeeInation - Tire Pressure
on page 406. Check to make sure the spare tire
is stored securely. SeeChanging a Flat Tire
on page 418.
Tire Wear Inspection
Tire rotation may be required for high mileage
highway drivers prior to the Engine Oil Life
System service notication. Check the tires for
wear and, if necessary, rotate the tires. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation on page 408.
465

At Least Once a Year
Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough
room around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the
regular brake. SeeParking Brake on
page 132.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be
ready to turn off the engine immediately if
it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The
vehicle should start only in PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N). If the vehicle starts in any
other position, contact your GM Goodwrench
®
dealer for service.
Automatic Transaxle Shift Lock Control
System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough
room around the vehicle. It should be parked
on a level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. SeeParking
Brake on page 132.
Be ready to apply the regular brake
immediately if the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition to ON,
but do not start the engine. Without applying
the regular brake, try to move the shift
lever out of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the
shift lever moves out of PARK (P), contact
your GM Goodwrench
®dealer for service.
466

Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set,
try to turn the ignition to OFF in each shift lever
position.
The ignition should turn to OFF only when the
shift lever is in PARK (P).
The ignition key should come out only in OFF.
Contact your GM Goodwrench
®dealer if service
is required.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transaxle
Park (P) Mechanism Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your
vehicle could begin to move. You or
others could be injured and property
could be damaged. Make sure there is
room in front of your vehicle in case it
begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular
brake, set the parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability:
With the engine running and transaxle in
NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot pressure
from the regular brake pedal. Do this until the
vehicle is held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding
ability: With the engine running, shift to
PARK (P). Then release the parking brake
followed by the regular brake.
Contact your GM Goodwrench
®dealer if service
is required.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to ush
any corrosive materials from the underbody.
Take care to clean thoroughly any areas where
mud and other debris can collect.
467

C
Calibration..........................................139, 141
California Fuel............................................. 347
California Proposition 65 Warning................ 345
Canadian Owners........................................... 3
Capacities and Specications...................... 454
Carbon Monoxide..............108, 136, 317, 333
Care of
Safety Belts............................................. 439
Your CD and DVD Player........................ 285
Your CDs and DVDs................................ 285
Cargo Lamp................................................ 186
Center Console Storage Area...................... 160
Chains, Tire................................................. 416
Charging System Light................................ 206
Check
Engine Light............................................ 212
Checking Things Under the Hood................ 352
Chemical Paint Spotting.............................. 442
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems............................. 49
Infants and Young Children........................ 45
Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children.................................................. 56
Older Children........................................... 42Child Restraints (cont.)
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Seat Position ................................. 65
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position........................ 67
Where to Put the Restraint........................ 54
Cigarette Lighter.......................................... 187
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels.................................... 441
Exterior Lamps/Lenses............................. 440
Fabric/Carpet........................................... 436
Finish Care.............................................. 440
Inside of Your Vehicle.............................. 435
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.................................... 438
Leather.................................................... 437
Tires........................................................ 441
Ultra Lux Suede....................................... 438
Underbody Maintenance........................... 442
Washing Your Vehicle.............................. 439
Weatherstrips........................................... 439
Windshield and Wiper Blades................... 440
Climate Control System............................... 188
Automatic................................................. 192
Outlet Adjustment..................................... 197
497

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