2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU Owners Manual

The surface of these wheels is similar to the painted
surface of the vehicle. Do not use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners,
cleaners with acid, or abrasive cleaning brushes
on them because the surface could be damaged.
Do not use chrome polish on aluminum wheels.
Notice:If you drive your vehicle through an
automatic car wash that has silicone carbide tire
cleaning brushes, you could damage the aluminum
or chrome-plated wheels. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Never drive a vehicle
equipped with aluminum or chrome-plated wheels
through an automatic car wash that uses silicone
carbide tire cleaning brushes.
Tires
To clean the tires, use a stiff brush with tire cleaner.
Notice:Using petroleum-based tire dressing
products on your vehicle may damage the paint
nish and/or tires. When applying a tire dressing,
always wipe off any overspray from all painted
surfaces on your vehicle.
Sheet Metal Damage
If the vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair or replacement, make sure the body repair shop
applies anti-corrosion material to parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion protection.
Original manufacturer replacement parts will provide
the corrosion protection while maintaining the vehicle
warranty.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the
nish should be repaired right away. Bare metal
will corrode quickly and may develop into major
repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up
materials available from your dealer/retailer. Larger
areas of nish damage can be corrected in your
dealer’s/retailer’s body and paint shop.
5-95

Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect on the underbody. If these are
not removed, corrosion and rust can develop on the
underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame, oor pan,
and exhaust system even though they have corrosion
protection.
At least every spring, ush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and debris can collect. Dirt packed in close areas of
the frame should be loosened before being ushed.
Your dealer/retailer or an underbody car washing
system can do this for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a
chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and
attack painted surfaces on the vehicle. This damage
can take two forms: blotchy, ring-shaped discolorations,
and small, irregular dark spots etched into the paint
surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this, we
will repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces
of new vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km) of purchase,
whichever occurs rst.
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
Description Usage
Polishing Cloth
Wax-TreatedInterior and exterior
polishing cloth.
Tar and Road Oil
RemoverRemoves tar, road oil,
and asphalt.
Chrome Cleaner and
PolishUse on chrome or
stainless steel.
White Sidewall Tire
CleanerRemoves soil and black
marks from whitewalls.
Vinyl Cleaner Cleans vinyl.
Glass CleanerRemoves dirt, grime,
smoke, and ngerprints.
Chrome and Wire Wheel
CleanerRemoves dirt and grime
from chrome wheels and
wire wheel covers.
Finish EnhancerRemoves dust,
ngerprints, and surface
contaminants. Spray on
wipe off.
5-96

Description Usage
Swirl Remover PolishRemoves swirl marks, ne
scratches, and other light
surface contamination.
Cleaner WaxRemoves light scratches
and protects nish.
Foaming Tire Shine Low
GlossCleans, shines, and
protects tires. No wiping
necessary.
Wash Wax ConcentrateMedium foaming
shampoo. Cleans
and lightly waxes.
Biodegradable and
phosphate free.
Spot LifterRemoves spots and stains
from carpets, vinyl, and
cloth upholstery.
Odor EliminatorOdorless spray odor
eliminator used on fabrics,
vinyl, leather, and carpet.Vehicle Identication
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)
This is the legal identier for your vehicle. It appears on
a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on
the driver side. It can be seen through the windshield
from outside the vehicle. The VIN also appears on
the Vehicle Certication and Service Parts labels
and the certicates of title and registration.
Engine Identication
The eighth character in the VIN is the engine code. This
code helps identify the vehicle’s engine, specications,
and replacement parts. See “Engine Specications”
underCapacities and Specifications on page 5-108
for your vehicle’s engine code.
5-97

Service Parts Identication Label
This label is on the inside of the glove box. It is
very helpful if you ever need to order parts. The label
has the following information:
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)
Model designation
Paint information
Production options and special equipment
Do not remove this label from the vehicle.
Electrical System
Add-On Electrical Equipment
Notice:Do not add anything electrical to your
vehicle unless you check with your dealer/retailer
rst. Some electrical equipment can damage
your vehicle and the damage would not be covered
by your warranty. Some add-on electrical equipment
can keep other components from working as they
should.Add-on equipment can drain your vehicle’s battery, even
if your vehicle is not operating.
Your vehicle has an airbag system. Before attempting to
add anything electrical to your vehicle, seeServicing
Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-70.
Windshield Wiper Fuses
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit
breaker and a fuse. If the motor overheats due to heavy
snow, etc., the wiper will stop until the motor cools.
If the overload is caused by some electrical problem,
have it xed.
Power Windows and Other Power
Options
Fuses in the fuse block protect the power windows.
When the current load is too heavy, the fuse opens
protecting the circuit until the problem is xed.
5-98

Fuses
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination of fuses, circuit breakers
and fusible links. This greatly reduces the chance of
damage caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure
to replace a bad fuse with a new one of the identical
size and rating.
There are three fuse blocks in your vehicle: one in
the center of the instrument panel, one in the engine
compartment and one in the trunk.
There is a fuse puller located on the instrument panel
fuse block. It can be used to easily remove fuses
from the fuse block.
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
The instrument panel fuse block is located on the
passenger side of the vehicle, on the lower portion
of the instrument panel near the oor.
Remove the panel cover to access the fuse block, then
remove the fuse block cover to access the fuses.
Your vehicle might not have all the fuses and features
listed.
5-99

Fuses Usage
POWER
MIRRORSPower Mirrors
EPS Electronic Power SteeringFuses Usage
RUN/CRANKCruise Control Switch, Passenger
Airbag Status Indicator
HVAC
BLOWER HIGHHeating Ventilation Air Conditioning
Blower - High Speed Relay
5-100

Fuses Usage
CLUSTER/
THEFTInstrument Panel Cluster,
Theft Deterrent System
ONSTAR OnStar
®
NOT
INSTALLEDNot Used
AIRBAG (IGN) Airbag (Ignition)
HVAC CTRL
(BATT)Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning
Control Diagnostic Link Connector
(Battery)
PEDAL Adjustable Pedals
WIPER SW Windshield Wiper/Washer Switch
IGN SENSOR Ignition Switch
STRG WHL
ILLUMSteering Wheel Illumination
NOT
INSTALLEDNot Used
Fuses Usage
RADIO Audio System
INTERIOR
LIGHTSInterior Lamps
NOT
INSTALLEDNot Used
POWER
WINDOWSPower Windows
HVAC CTRL
(IGN)Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning
Control (Ignition)
HVAC
BLOWERHeating Ventilation Air Conditioning
Blower Switch
DOOR LOCK Door Locks
ROOF/HEAT
SEATSunroof, Power Windows
NOT
INSTALLEDNot Used
5-101

Fuses Usage
NOT
INSTALLEDNot Used
AIRBAG
(BATT)Airbag (Battery)
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare Fuse Holder
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare Fuse Holder
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare Fuse Holder
SPARE FUSE
HOLDERSpare Fuse Holder
FUSE PULLER Fuse PullerEngine Compartment Fuse Block
Your vehicle may not be equipped with all the fuses and
features listed.
The engine compartment fuse block is located on the
driver side of the engine compartment, near the battery.
Notice:Spilling liquid on any electrical components
on your vehicle may damage it. Always keep the
covers on any electrical component.
5-102