2007 CHEVROLET MALIBU MAXX fuel cap

Service and Appearance Care
.................. 341
Service
................................................. 344
Fuel
...................................................... 346
Checking Things Under the Hood
......... 352
Bulb Replacement
................................ 389
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.... 394
Tires
..................................................... 397
Appearance Care
.................................. 435
Vehicle Identication
............................. 444
Electrical System
.................................. 445
Capacities and Specications
................ 454Maintenance Schedule
.............................. 457
Maintenance Schedule
.......................... 458
Customer Assistance Information
............. 475
Customer Assistance and Information
..... 476
Reporting Safety Defects
...................... 491
Index
.......................................................... 495
2

This light should come on, as a check to show
you it is working, when the ignition is on and the
engine is not running. If the light does not
come on, have it repaired. This light will also
come on during a malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A misre condition has
been detected. A misre increases vehicle
emissions and may damage the emission
control system on your vehicle. Diagnosis
and service may be required.
Light On Steady— An emission control
system malfunction has been detected on
your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may
be required.
If the Light is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled as soon
as it is possibleIf the light stops ashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do
so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park
your vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least
10 seconds and restart the engine. If the light
remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On Steady”
following. If the light is still ashing, follow the
previous steps, and see your dealer for service
as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 349.
The diagnostic system can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed.
A loose or missing fuel cap will allow fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving
trips with the cap properly installed should turn
the light off.
213

Fuel Gage
Your fuel gage tells you about how much fuel
you have left, when the ignition is on. When the
indicator nears empty, this light, located left of the
pump symbol, will come on and you will hear a
chime. You still have a little fuel left, but you
should get more soon. The arrow on the fuel gage
points to side of the vehicle with the fuel door.Here are four things that some owners ask about.
These are normal and do not indicate a problem
with your fuel gage:
At the service station, the gas pump shuts off
before the gage reads full.
It takes a little more or less fuel to ll up than
the gage indicated. For example, the gage
may have indicated the tank was half full,
but it actually took a little more or less than
half the tank’s capacity to ll the tank.
The indicator moves a little when you turn a
corner or speed up.
The gage goes back to empty when you turn
off the ignition.
United StatesCanada
217

CHECK GAS CAP:This message displays if the
fuel cap has not been fully tightened. Recheck
the fuel 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 displays if one or
more of the vehicle’s doors are not closed properly.
Make sure that the door is closed completely.
ENGINE DISABLED:This message displays
if the starting of the engine is disabled. Have
your vehicle serviced immediately by your
dealer/retailer.
ENG (Engine) PWR (Power) REDUCED:This
message displays to inform you that the vehicle
has reduced engine power to avoid damaging
the engine. Reduced engine power can affect the
vehicle’s ability to accelerate. If this message
is on, but there is no reduction in performance,
proceed to your destination. The performance
may be reduced the next time the vehicle is driven.The vehicle may be driven at a reduced speed
while this message is on, but acceleration
and speed may be reduced. Anytime this message
stays on, the vehicle should be taken to your
dealer/retailer for service as soon as possible.
GATE AJAR:If your vehicle has a liftgate,
this message displays when the liftgate is not
closed completely. Make sure that the liftgate
is closed completely. SeeLiftgate (MAXX)
on page 110for more information.
ICE POSSIBLE:This message displays when the
outside air temperature is cold enough to create
icy road conditions. Adjust your driving accordingly.
KEY FOB BATT (Battery) LOW:This message
displays if the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter battery is low. Replace the battery
in the transmitter. See “Battery Replacement”
underRemote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 97.
223

Certication Label
A vehicle specic Certication label, found on
the rear edge of the driver’s door, tells you
the gross weight capacity of your vehicle, called
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
The GVWR includes the weight of the vehicle,
all occupants, fuel and cargo. Never exceed
the GVWR for your vehicle, or the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR) for either the front
or rear axle.And, if you do have a heavy load, you should
spread it out.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
If you put things inside your vehicle — like
suitcases, tools, packages, or anything else — they
will go as fast as the vehicle goes. If you have to
stop or turn quickly, or if there is a crash, they will
keep going.
328

Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you do not use the correct equipment
and drive properly, you can lose control
when you pull a trailer. For example, if the
trailer is too heavy, the brakes may not
work well — or even at all. You and your
passengers could be seriously injured.
You may also damage your vehicle; the
resulting repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Pull a trailer only if you
have followed all the steps in this section.
Ask your dealer/retailer for advice and
information about towing a trailer with
your vehicle.
If you have a Malibu Sedan SS or a Maxx SS,
trailer towing is not recommended. Your vehicle
was neither designed nor intended to tow a trailer.Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with
a 3.5L V6 engine and the proper trailer towing
equipment.
To identify the trailering capacity of your vehicle,
you should read the information in “Weight of
the Trailer” that appears later in this section.
Trailering is different than just driving your vehicle
by itself. Trailering means changes in handling,
durability and fuel economy. Successful, safe
trailering takes correct equipment, and it has to
be used properly.
That’s the reason for this part. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety
rules. Many of these are important for your safety
and that of your passengers. So please read
this section carefully before you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the engine,
transmission, wheel assemblies and tires
are forced to work harder against the drag of the
added weight. The engine is required to operate
at relatively higher speeds and under greater
loads, generating extra heat. What’s more,
the trailer adds considerably to wind resistance,
increasing the pulling requirements.
333

Service........................................................ 344
Accessories and Modications................... 344
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 345
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 345
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 346
Fuel............................................................. 346
Gasoline Octane........................................ 346
Gasoline Specications.............................. 347
California Fuel........................................... 347
Additives................................................... 347
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 348
Filling the Tank......................................... 349
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 351
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 352
Hood Release........................................... 352
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 354
Engine Oil................................................. 359
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 362
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 364
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
(2.2L L4 and 3.5L V6 Engines).............. 365Automatic Transaxle Fluid
(3.9L V6 Engine).................................... 366
Engine Coolant.......................................... 368
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap............ 371
Engine Overheating................................... 371
Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode (3.5L V6 and 3.9L V6 Engines).... 373
Cooling System......................................... 374
Power Steering Fluid................................. 379
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 380
Brakes...................................................... 381
Battery...................................................... 384
Jump Starting............................................ 385
Bulb Replacement....................................... 389
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 389
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, and
Parking Lamps....................................... 390
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps
and Back-up Lamps............................... 392
License Plate Lamp................................... 393
Replacement Bulbs................................... 394
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 394
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
341

Filling the Tank
{CAUTION:
Fuel vapor burns violently and a fuel re
can cause bad injuries. To help avoid
injuries to you and others, read and follow
all the instructions on the pump island.
Turn off your engine when you are
refueling. Do not smoke if you are near
fuel or refueling your vehicle. Do not use
cellular phones. Keep sparks, ames, and
smoking materials away from fuel. Do not
leave the fuel pump unattended when
refueling your vehicle. This is against the
law in some places. Do not re-enter the
vehicle while pumping fuel. Keep children
away from the fuel pump; never let
children pump fuel.The tethered fuel cap is located behind a hinged
fuel door on the passenger’s side of the vehicle.
To open the door, insert your nger into the nger
depression next to the fuel door.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly
counterclockwise. The fuel cap has a spring in it;
if the cap is released too soon, it will spring
back to the right.
While refueling, hang the tethered fuel cap from
the hook on the fuel door.
349