2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU engine

{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid such as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. The vehicle’s
coolant warning system is set for the proper
coolant mixture. With plain water or the wrong
mixture, the engine could get too hot but you
would not get the overheat warning. The engine
could catch re and you or others could be
burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
{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.
1. Remove the coolant surge tank pressure cap when
the cooling system, including the coolant surge tank
pressure cap and upper radiator hose, is no longer
hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise
about two or two and one-half turns.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. This will
allow any pressure still left to be vented out
the discharge hose.
2. Then keep turning the
pressure cap slowly,
and remove it.
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3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture,
to the FULL COLD mark. Wait about ve minutes,
then check to see if the level is below the mark. If the
level is below the FULL COLD mark, add additional
coolant to bring the level up to the mark. Repeat this
procedure until the level remains constant at the
FULL COLD mark for at least ve minutes.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start
the engine and let it run until you can feel the upper
radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the engine
cooling fans.
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank might be lower. If the level is lower than
the FULL COLD mark, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge tank until the level
reaches the FULL COLD mark.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.Power Steering Fluid
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14for
reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
Power steering uid is used in all vehicles with
V6 engines. Vehicles with the 4-cylinder engine have
electric power steering and do not use power steering
uid.
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
uid unless a leak is suspected in the system, or
an unusual noise is heard. A uid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
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How to Check Power Steering Fluid
To check the power steering uid, do the following:
1. Turn the key off and let the engine compartment
cool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a
clean rag.
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
5. Remove the cap again and look at the uid level on
the dipstick.
If your vehicle has the 3.5L V6 engine, the uid level
should be between the ADD and HOT marks when the
engine is cold, and at the HOT mark when the engine
is hot. If the uid is at the ADD mark when the engine
is cold or hot, power steering uid should be added.If your vehicle has the 3.6L V6 engine, the uid
level should be between the MIN (Minimum) and
MAX (Maximum) marks when the engine is cold and at
the MAX mark when the engine is hot. If the uid is at the
MIN mark when the engine is cold or hot, power steering
uid should be added.
The uid level should be within the crosshatch area on
the dipstick.
If the uid is at or below the ADD or MIN mark on
the dipstick, add just enough uid to bring the level
within the crosshatch area.
What to Use
To determine what kind of uid to use, see
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
Always use the proper uid.
Notice:Use of the incorrect uid may damage your
vehicle and the damages may not be covered by
your warranty. Always use the correct uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
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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 displays on
the Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-48for more information.
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer uid until the
tank is full. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 5-14for 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 the 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
windshield washer system and paint.
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Brakes
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder
reservoir is lled with
DOT-3 brake uid. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14for
the location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake uid level in
the reservoir might go down. The rst is that the brake
uid goes down to an acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are put in, the uid
level goes back up. The other reason is that uid is
leaking out of the brake hydraulic system. If it is, have
the brake hydraulic system xed, since a leak means
that sooner or later the brakes will not work well.It is not a good idea to top off the brake uid. Adding
brake uid will not correct a leak. If uid is added when
the linings are worn, there will be too much uid when
new brake linings are installed. Add or remove brake
uid, as necessary, only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has too much brake uid, it can
spill on the engine. The uid will burn if the
engine is hot enough. You or others could be
burned, and your vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake uid only when work is done on the
brake hydraulic system.
When the brake uid falls to a low level, the brake
warning light comes on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-37.
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What to Add
When you need brake uid, use only DOT-3 brake
uid. Use new brake uid from a sealed container
only. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-12.
Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This helps keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in the brake
hydraulic system, the brakes might not work
well. This could cause a crash. Always use the
proper brake uid.Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage brake
hydraulic system parts. For example, just a
few drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in the brake hydraulic system can damage
brake hydraulic system parts so badly that they
will have to be replaced. Do not let someone
put in the wrong kind of uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint nish can be damaged.
Be careful not to spill brake uid on your
vehicle. If you do, wash it off immediately.
SeeWashing Your Vehicle on page 5-92.
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Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your vehicle
was designed and tested with top-quality brake parts.
When you replace parts of the braking system — for
example, when the brake linings wear down and you
need new ones put in — be sure you get new approved
replacement parts. If you do not, the brakes might not
work properly. For example, if someone puts in brake
linings that are wrong for your vehicle, the balance
between the front and rear brakes can change — for
the worse. The braking performance you have come to
expect can change in many other ways if someone puts
in the wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Your vehicle has a maintenance free battery. When
it is time for a new battery, see your dealer/retailer
for one that has the replacement number shown on
the original battery’s label. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-14for battery location.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after
handling.
Vehicle Storage
{CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and
gas that can explode. You can be badly hurt
if you are not careful. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-43for tips on working around a battery
without getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: If you drive your vehicle infrequently,
remove the black, negative (−) cable from the battery.
This will help keep the battery from running down.
Extended Storage: For extended storage of your vehicle,
remove the black, negative (−) cable from the battery
or use a battery trickle charger. This will help maintain
the charge of the battery over an extended period
of time.
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Notice:If you leave your radio or other accessories
on during the jump starting procedure, they could
be damaged. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Always turn off your radio and
other accessories when jump starting your vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter or the accessory power outlet. Turn off the
radio and all lamps that are not needed. This will
avoid sparks and help save both batteries. And it
could save the radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find the
positive (+) and negative (−) terminal locations on
each vehicle. Your vehicle’s positive (+) terminal is
located under a red tethered cap on the battery.
The negative (–) terminal is located under a
black tethered cap on the battery. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 5-14for more
information on location. Flip the caps up to access
the positive (+) and negative (–) terminals.
{CAUTION:
An electric fan can start up even when the
engine is not running and can injure you.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing
this, and some have been blinded. Use a
ashlight if you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You do
not need to add water to the battery installed
in your new vehicle. But if a battery has ller
caps, be sure the right amount of uid is there.
If it is low, add water to take care of that rst.
If you don’t, explosive gas could be present.
Battery uid contains acid that can burn you.
Do not get it on you. If you accidentally get it
in your eyes or on your skin, ush the place
with water and get medical help immediately.
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