2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU 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
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)..................................5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................5-10
Filling the Tank............................................5-10
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-13
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-14
Hood Release..............................................5-14
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-16
Engine Oil...................................................5-21
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-24
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-26
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-28
Cooling System............................................5-28
Engine Coolant.............................................5-29
Pressure Cap...............................................5-33Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-33
Engine Overheating.......................................5-34
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode........................................5-36
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-36
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-38
Brakes........................................................5-39
Battery........................................................5-42
Jump Starting...............................................5-43
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-47
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-47
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-47
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-48
License Plate Lamp......................................5-49
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-50
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-50
Tires..............................................................5-51
Winter Tires.................................................5-52
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-53
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-56
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-59
High-Speed Operation...................................5-60
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-61
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................5-62
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-66
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A. SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-26.
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 5-36.
C. Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling System on
page 5-28.
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-21.
E. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-21.
F. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-29.G. Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System on page 5-28.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 5-39.
I. Automatic Transmission Fluid Cap/Dipstick (Out of
View). SeeAutomatic Transmission Fluid on
page 5-28.
J. SeeBattery on page 5-42.
K. SeeEngine Compartment Fuse Block on
page 5-102.
L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-38.
5-19

A. SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-26.
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 5-21.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-21.
E. Electric Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View).
SeeCooling System on page 5-28.
F. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-29.
G. Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System on page 5-28.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 5-39.
I. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick (Out of View).
See “Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 5-28.
J. 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 level at each
fuel ll. 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 5-16
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 this is not done,
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.
5-21

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 the vehicle, and the damages may
not be covered by the vehicle’s 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.
Cooling System
The Cooling System allows the engine to maintain the
correct working temperature.
A. Engine Cooling Fans
B. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
C. Pressure Cap3.5L V6 Engine shown, 2.4L L4,
3.6L V6 Engines similar
5-28

Capacities and Specications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. Please refer toRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12for more information.
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134aFor the air conditioning system refrigerant charge
amount, see the refrigerant caution label located
under the hood. See your dealer/retailer for more
information.
Automatic Transmission*
Automatic Transmission 4-Speed (Bottom Pan Removal) 7.0 qt 6.6 L
Automatic Transmission 6-Speed (Drain and Rell) 5.3 qt 5.0 L
Cooling System
2.4L L4 Engine 7.5 qt 7.1 L
3.5L V6 and 3.6L V6 Engine 9.7 qt 9.2 L
Engine Oil with Filter
2.4L L4 Engine 5.0 qt 4.7 L
3.5L V6 Engine 4.0 qt 3.8 L
3.6L V6 Engine 5.5 qt 5.2 L
5-108

ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Fuel Tank 16.3 gal 61.7 L
Wheel Nut Torque 100 lb ft 140Y
*Transmission uid capacity is approximate. SeeAutomatic Transmission Fluid on page 5-28for information on
checking uid level.
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to ll to the approximate level, as recommended in this
manual.
Engine Specications
Engine VIN Code Transmission Spark Plug Gap
2.4L L4 B Automatic 0.040 in (1.01 mm)
3.5L V6 K Automatic 0.040 in (1.01 mm)
3.5L V6 N Automatic 0.040 in (1.01 mm)
3.6L V6 7 Automatic 0.044 in (1.10 mm)
5-109

Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part
number, or specication can be obtained from your
dealer/retailer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil which meets GM
Standard GM6094M and displays
the American Petroleum Institute
Certied for Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. To determine the
proper viscosity for your vehicle’s
engine, seeEngine Oil on
page 5-21.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-29.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 88862806,
in Canada 88862807).
Windshield
WasherOptikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Hydraulic
Power Steering
System
(if equipped)GM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021184,
in Canada 89021186).
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON
®-VI Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474).
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Secondary
Latch, Pivots,
Spring
Anchor, and
Release PawlLubriplate Lubricant Aerosol
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346293,
in Canada 992723) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Hood and Door
HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 109435474).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningWeatherstrip Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 3634770,
in Canada 10953518) or
Dielectric Silicone Grease
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345579,
in Canada 992887).
6-12

Audio System(s).............................................3-59
Audio Systems
Radio Reception..........................................3-91
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-89
Automatic Climate Control System.....................3-24
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-15
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-28
Operation...........................................2-26, 2-28
B
Backglass Antenna..........................................3-92
Battery..........................................................5-42
Electric Power Management..........................3-17
Run-Down Protection...................................3-18
Belt Routing, Engine.......................................6-14
Bluetooth
®.....................................................3-78
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-6
Brake Fluid....................................................5-39
Brakes..........................................................5-39
Antilock....................................................... 4-5
Parking......................................................2-32
System Warning Light..................................3-34
Braking........................................................... 4-4
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-6Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-21
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-50
Fog Lamp ..................................................3-15
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-47
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-47
Headlamps.................................................5-47
License Plate Lamps....................................5-49
Taillamps, Turn Signal, and Stoplamps............5-48
Buying New Tires...........................................5-68
C
Calibration.....................................................2-38
California
Perchlorate Materials Requirements................. 5-4
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-108
Carbon Monoxide
Engine Exhaust...........................................2-35
Trunk.........................................................2-12
Winter Driving.............................................4-17
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-93
CD, MP3 .......................................................3-71
Center Console Storage...................................2-50
2