2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU check transmission fluid

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of the
Vehicle......................................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-6
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-8
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-11
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-12
Hood Release..............................................5-12
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-14
Engine Oil...................................................5-19
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-22
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-24
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-26
Engine Coolant.............................................5-26
Pressure Cap...............................................5-29
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-29
Engine Overheating.......................................5-29Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-31
Cooling System............................................5-32
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-36
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-38
Brakes........................................................5-39
Battery........................................................5-42
Jump Starting...............................................5-43
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-48
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-48
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-48
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-49
License Plate Lamp......................................5-50
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-51
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-51
Tires..............................................................5-52
Winter Tires.................................................5-53
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-54
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-57
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-60
High-Speed Operation...................................5-62
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-62
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................5-64
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-67
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-69
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-24.
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-36.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-19.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-19.
E. Electric Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View).
SeeCooling System on page 5-32.
F. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-26.
G. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 5-29.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-39.
I. Automatic transmission Fluid Dipstick. See “Checking
the Fluid Level” underAutomatic Transmission
Fluid on page 5-26.
J. Battery. SeeBattery on page 5-42.
K. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeEngine Compartment
Fuse Block on page 5-102.
L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-38.Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-14
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down and check the level.
5-19

Automatic Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transmission uid level.
A transmission uid leak is the only reason for uid loss.
If a leak occurs, take your vehicle to the dealer/retailer
and have it repaired as soon as possible.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services on page 6-6, and be sure
to use the transmission uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic transmission
uid may damage your vehicle, and the damages
may not be covered by your warranty. Always
use the automatic transmission uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
For the 2.4L, 3.5L and 3.6L engines, the transmission
uid will not reach the end of the dipstick unless
the transmission is at operating temperature. If you
need to check the transmission uid level, please take
your vehicle to your dealer/retailer.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for ve years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add only
DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-29.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®can
cause premature engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at the rst maintenance
service after each 30,000 miles (50 000 km) or
24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in the vehicle.
5-26

Automatic Headlamp System............................3-15
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-26
Operation...........................................2-28, 2-30
B
Backglass Antenna..........................................3-81
Battery..........................................................5-42
Run-Down Protection...................................3-18
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-5
Brakes..........................................................5-39
Panic Assist................................................4-10
System Warning Light..................................3-37
Braking........................................................... 4-4
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-22
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-48
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-48
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-48
License Plate Lamps....................................5-50
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-51
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-49
Buying New Tires...........................................5-70
C
Calibration.....................................................2-39
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements....... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-108
Carbon Monoxide...........................2-13, 2-37, 4-18
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-92
CD, MP3 .......................................................3-73
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-52
Chains, Tire...................................................5-76
Charging System Light....................................3-37
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-41
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-12
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-96
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-37
Infants and Young Children...........................1-34
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-42
Older Children.............................................1-31
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Seat Position...................................1-50
2

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