2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU engine

3.6L V6 Engine
6-15

Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your
vehicle has a safety defect, notify Transport Canada
immediately, in addition to notifying General Motors of
Canada Limited. Call them at 1-800-333-0510 or write to:
Transport Canada
Road Safety Branch
2780 Sheffield Road
Ottawa, Ontario K1B 3V9
Reporting Safety Defects to
General Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, please notify General Motors.
Call 1-800-222-1020, or write:
Chevrolet Motor Division
Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33170
Detroit, MI 48232-5170
In Canada, call 1-800-263-3777 (English) or
1-800-263-7854 (French), or write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, CA1-163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give additional technical service
information needed to knowledgeably service
General Motors cars and trucks. Each bulletin
contains instructions to assist in the diagnosis and
service of your vehicle.
Owner Information
Owner publications are written specically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner manual includes the
Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Without Portfolio: Owner Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
7-16

Current and Past Model Order Forms
Technical Service Bulletins and Manuals are available for
current and past model GM vehicles. To request an order
form, specify year and model name of the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc.
on the World Wide Web at: helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy
Your GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated
computers that record information about the vehicle’s
performance and how it is driven. For example, your
vehicle uses computer modules to monitor and control
engine and transmission performance, to monitor the
conditions for airbag deployment and deploy airbags in a
crash and, if so equipped, to provide antilock braking to
help the driver control the vehicle. These modules may
store data to help your dealer/retailer technician service
your vehicle. Some modules may also store data about
how you operate the vehicle, such as rate of fuel
consumption or average speed. These modules may also
retain the owner’s personal preferences, such as radio
pre-sets, seat positions, and temperature settings.
7-17

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Accessory Power............................................2-23
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-18
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-72
Additional Required Services, Scheduled
Maintenance................................................. 6-6
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-7
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-98
Adjustment
Chime Level...............................................3-92
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-26
Air Conditioning..............................................3-20
Airbag
Readiness Light..........................................3-31
Airbag System................................................1-58
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-72
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-64
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-66
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-71
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-64
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?........1-64
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-63
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-60
Airbags
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-32Antenna
Backglass...................................................3-92
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System......................................................3-92
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 4-5
Warning Light.............................................3-35
Appearance Care
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-95
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-93
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-97
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-94
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-91
Finish Care.................................................5-94
Finish Damage............................................5-96
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................5-92
Interior Cleaning..........................................5-90
Leather......................................................5-92
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-96
Tires..........................................................5-96
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-97
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-93
Weatherstrips..............................................5-93
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-95
Assistance Program, Roadside........................... 7-7
Audio System.................................................3-56
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-89
Setting the Clock.........................................3-57
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-92
1

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

Chains, Tire...................................................5-74
Charging System Light....................................3-33
Check
Engine Lamp..............................................3-38
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-14
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-97
Child Restraints
Infants and Young Children...........................1-35
Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children..................................................1-44
Older Children.............................................1-32
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Seat Position...................................1-52
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position..........................1-54
Systems.....................................................1-39
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-42
Chime Level Adjustment..................................3-92
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-95
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-94
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-91
Finish Care.................................................5-94
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................5-92
Interior.......................................................5-90
Leather......................................................5-92
Tires..........................................................5-96Cleaning (cont.)
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-97
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-93
Weatherstrips..............................................5-93
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-95
Climate Control System...................................3-20
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-27
Climate Control Systems
Automatic...................................................3-24
Clock, Setting.................................................3-57
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-12
Compact Spare Tire........................................
5-89
Compass.......................................................2-38
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-18
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-4
Convenience Net............................................2-51
Coolant
Engine.......................................................5-29
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-37
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-36
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-33
Cooling System..............................................5-28
Courtesy Transportation...................................7-10
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Cruise Control Light........................................3-42
Cupholders....................................................2-50
3

Electrical System
Engine Compartment Fuse Block.................5-102
Fuses........................................................5-99
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-99
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-98
Rear Compartment Fuse Block....................5-105
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-98
Electronic Immobilizer
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................2-19
Electronic Immobilizer Operation
PASS-Key
®III+...........................................2-20
Electronic Stability Control................................. 4-6
Electronic Stability Control Indicator Light...........3-35
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-26
Check and Service Engine Soon Lamp...........3-38
Compartment Overview................................5-16
Coolant......................................................5-29
Coolant Heater............................................2-25
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-37
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-36
Cooling System...........................................5-28
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-14
Exhaust.....................................................2-35
Oil .............................................................5-21
Oil Life System...........................................5-24Engine (cont.)
Overheated Protection Operating Mode...........5-36
Overheating................................................5-34
Starting......................................................2-24
Entry/Exit Lighting...........................................3-16
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-18
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-32F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-26
Finish Damage...............................................5-96
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-75
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-76
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-85
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-28
Power Steering...........................................5-36
Windshield Washer......................................5-38
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-15
Folding Rear Seat...........................................1-10
Front Storage Area.........................................2-50
5

Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-7
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
E85 (85% Ethanol)........................................ 5-8
Economy Driving........................................... 4-2
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-13
Filling the Tank...........................................5-10
Fuels in Foreign Countries............................5-10
Gage .........................................................3-42
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-6
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-6
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
G
Gage
Speedometer..............................................3-30
Tachometer.................................................3-30
Gages
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-37
Fuel..........................................................3-42
Trip Odometer.............................................3-30Garage Door Opener.......................................2-43
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-6
Specications............................................... 5-6
Glove Box.....................................................2-50
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-7
H
Halogen Bulbs................................................5-47
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-2
Headlamp
Aiming .......................................................5-47
Headlamps....................................................3-13
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-47
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).....................3-14
Delayed.....................................................3-14
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-14
Headlamps Off in Park....................................3-14
Heated Seats................................................... 1-5
Heater...........................................................3-20
Engine Coolant...........................................2-25
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-42
6