2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU coolant temperature

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 N (Neutral)
while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the
road, shift to P (Park) or N (NEUTRAL) 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 might decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
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 5-19.
5-31

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.
5-38

Child Restraints (cont.)
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position..........................1-52
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-40
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-94
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-93
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-90
Finish Care.................................................5-93
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................5-91
Interior.......................................................5-89
Tires..........................................................5-95
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-96
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-92
Weatherstrips..............................................5-92
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-94
Climate Control System...................................3-21
Automatic...................................................3-24
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-29
Clock, Setting.................................................3-60
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-12
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-88
Compass.......................................................2-39
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-18Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-3
Convenience Net............................................2-53
Coolant
Engine.......................................................5-26
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-40
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-40
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-29
Cooling System..............................................5-32
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Cruise Control Light........................................3-44
Cupholders....................................................2-52
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation................................7-10
Customer Assistance for
Text Telephone (TTY) Users........................ 7-6
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-6
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-7
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-16
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government..............................7-15
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government.........................7-15
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-7
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-16
3

Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-24
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-41
Coolant......................................................5-26
Coolant Heater............................................2-27
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-40
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-40
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-14
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-14
Exhaust.....................................................2-37
Oil .............................................................5-19
Oil Life System...........................................5-22
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-31
Overheating................................................5-29
Starting......................................................2-24
Entry/Exit Lighting...........................................3-17
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-18
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-30
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-24
Finish Damage...............................................5-95
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-77Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-78
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-87
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-26
Power Steering...........................................5-36
Windshield Washer......................................5-38
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-16
Folding Rear Seat............................................ 1-9
Front Reading Lamps......................................3-17
Front Storage Area.........................................2-52
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-7
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-11
Filling the Tank............................................. 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-8
Gage .........................................................3-45
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-6
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-6
Running Out of...........................................2-38
Fuses...........................................................5-99
Engine Compartment Fuse Block.................5-102
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-99
Rear Compartment Fuse Block....................5-105
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-98
5

G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-40
Fuel..........................................................3-45
Speedometer..............................................3-32
Tachometer.................................................3-32
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-45
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-6
Specications............................................... 5-6
Glove Box.....................................................2-52
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-7
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-7
Headlamp
Aiming .......................................................5-48
Headlamps....................................................3-13
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-48
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-14
Delayed.....................................................3-14
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-48Headlamps (cont.)
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-14
Headlamps Off in Park....................................3-14
Heated Seats................................................... 1-4
Heater...................................................3-21, 3-24
Engine Coolant...........................................2-27
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-45
High-Speed Operation, Tires.............................5-62
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-16
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-17
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-12
Release.....................................................5-12
Horn ............................................................... 3-6
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-16
I
Ignition Positions.............................................2-22
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-34
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-60
Instrument Panel
Brightness..................................................3-16
Cluster.......................................................3-31
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Storage Area..............................................2-52
6

J
Jump Starting.................................................5-43
K
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-3
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall.....................................5-54
Lamps
Dome ........................................................3-17
Front Reading.............................................3-17
Overhead Console Reading..........................3-17
Rear Reading.............................................3-18
Trunk.........................................................3-18
Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................................1-25
LATCH System
Child Restraints...........................................1-42
License Plate Lamps.......................................5-50
Lift Seat, Power............................................... 1-8
Light
Airbag Readiness........................................3-34
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Warning...........3-38
Brake System Warning.................................3-37
Charging System.........................................3-37Light (cont.)
Cruise Control.............................................3-44
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning.............3-40
Highbeam On.............................................3-45
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-41
Oil Pressure...............................................3-44
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator..................3-35
Safety Belt Reminders..................................3-33
Security.....................................................3-44
Tire Pressure..............................................3-41
Lighting
Entry/Exit...................................................3-17
Parade Dimming..........................................3-17
Lights............................................................3-13
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-14
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-21
Lockout Protection..........................................2-12
Locks
Delayed Locking..........................................2-11
Door ..........................................................2-10
Lockout Protection
.......................................2-12
Power Door ................................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-11
Rear Door Security Locks.............................2-12
Loss of Control...............................................4-13
Lumbar
Manual Controls............................................ 1-3
7