Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-13
The engine oil and filter must be
changed at least once a year and,
at this time, the system must be
reset. Your dealer has trained
service people who will perform this
work and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
over the course of an oil drain
interval and keep it at the proper
level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 miles)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. To reset the
system:
1. Turn the ignition toON/RUN, with the
engine off.
2. Press and hold the DIC INFO and reset buttons, on the left
side of the steering wheel, at the
same time to enter the
personalization menu. The OIL
LIFE RESET message displays.
See Driver Information Center
(DIC)
on page 5‑23and Engine
Oil Messages on page 5‑27. 3. Press and hold the reset button
until the DIC display shows
ACKNOWLEDGED.
4. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF.
The system is reset when the
CHANGE OIL SOON message
is off.
If the CHANGE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not reset. Repeat the
procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to the
dealer and have it repaired as
soon as possible.
Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011
10-14 Vehicle Care
Change the fluid and filter at the
intervals listed inScheduled
Maintenance
on page 11‑2, and be
sure to use the transmission fluid
listed in Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑6.
Notice: Use of the incorrect
automatic transmission fluid may
damage the vehicle, and the
damages may not be covered by
the vehicle's warranty. Always
use the automatic transmission
fluid listed in Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants
on
page 11‑6.
For the 2.4 L and 3.6 L engines,
the transmission fluid will not reach
the end of the dipstick unless the
transmission is at operating
temperature. If the transmission
fluid level needs to be checked,
please take the vehicle to the
dealer.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
See Engine Compartment Overviewon page 10‑6for the location of the
engine air cleaner/filter.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/filter at the
scheduled maintenance intervals
and replace it at the first oil change
after each 80 000 km (50,000 mi)
interval. See Scheduled
Maintenance
on page 11‑2for
more information. If driving in dusty/
dirty conditions, inspect the filter at
each engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/filter,
remove the filter from the vehicle
and lightly shake the filter to release
loose dust and dirt. If the filter
remains caked with dirt, a new filter
is required. To inspect or replace the engine air
cleaner/filter:
1. Remove the spring clamps that
hold the cover on.
2. Lift off the cover.
Black plate (26,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011
10-26 Vehicle Care
3. Try to start the engine in eachgear. The vehicle should start
only in P (Park) or N (Neutral).
If the vehicle starts in any other
position, contact your dealer for
service.
Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control
Function Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should be
parked on a level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. See Parking Brake
on
page 9‑29. Be ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle
begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition to ON/RUN, but do not
start the engine. Without
applying the regular brake, try to
move the shift lever out of
P (Park) with normal effort. If the
shift lever moves out of P (Park),
contact your dealer for service.
Ignition Transmission
Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking
brake set, try to turn the ignition to
LOCK/OFF in each shift lever
position.
.The ignition should turn to
LOCK/OFF only when the shift
lever is in P (Park).
.The ignition key should come
out only in LOCK/OFF.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured
and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot on the regular brake, set
the parking brake.
.To check the parking brake's
holding ability: With the engine
running and the transmission in
N (Neutral), slowly remove foot
pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
Black plate (31,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-31
To identify and check fuses, circuit
breakers, and relays, seeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block
on
page 10‑31, Instrument Panel Fuse
Blockon page 10‑33, and Rear
Compartment Fuse Blockon
page 10‑35.
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block
The engine compartment fuse block
is located on the driver side of the
engine compartment, near the
battery.
Notice: Spilling liquid on any
electrical component on the
vehicle may damage it. Always
keep the covers on any electrical
component.
The vehicle may not be equipped with all of the fuses, relays, and features
shown.
Fuses Usage
1 Air Conditioner
Clutch
2 Electronic Throttle
Control
3 Not Used Fuses Usage
4 Transmission
Control Module
Ignition 1
5 Mass Airflow
Sensor (LY7)
Black plate (32,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011
10-32 Vehicle Care
FusesUsage
6 Emission
7 Left Headlamp
Low-Beam
8 Horn
9 Right Headlamp
Low-Beam
10 Front Fog Lamps
11 Left Headlamp
High-Beam
12 Right Headlamp
High-Beam
13 Engine Control
Module BATT
14 Windshield Wiper
15 Antilock Brake
System (IGN 1)
16 Engine Control
Module IGN 1
17 Cooling Fan 1
18 Cooling Fan 2 Fuses
Usage
19 Run Relay,
Heating,
Ventilation, Air
Conditioning
Blower
20 Body Control
Module 1
21 Body Control
Module Run/Crank
22 Rear Electrical
Center 1
23 Rear Electrical
Center 2
24 Antilock Brake
System
25 Body Control
Module 2
26 Starter
41 Electric Power
Steering Fuses
Usage
42 Transmission
Control Module
Battery
43 Ignition Module
(LE9 & LE5);
Injectors, Ignition
Coils Odd (LY7)
44 Injectors (LE9 &
LE5); Injectors,
Ignition Coils
Even (LY7)
45 Post Cat 02
Sensor
Heaters (LY7)
46 Daytime Running
Lamps
47 Center
High-Mounted
Stoplamp
50 Driver Power
Window
51 Not Used
52 AIR Solenoid
Black plate (42,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011
10-42 Vehicle Care
Tire Designations
Tire Size
The following illustration shows
an example of a typical
passenger vehicle tire size.
(A) Passenger (P‐Metric) Tire:
The United States version of a
metric tire sizing system. The
letter P as the first character in
the tire size means a passenger
vehicle tire engineered to
standards set by the U.S. Tire
and Rim Association.
(B) Tire Width
:The three‐digit
number indicates the tire section
width in millimeters from
sidewall to sidewall. (C) Aspect Ratio
:A two‐digit
number that indicates the tire
height‐to‐width measurements.
For example, if the tire size
aspect ratio is 60, as shown in
item C of the illustration, it would
mean that the tire's sidewall is
60 percent as high as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code
:A
letter code is used to indicate
the type of ply construction in
the tire. The letter R means
radial ply construction; the
letter D means diagonal or bias
ply construction; and the letter B
means belted‐bias ply
construction.
(E) Rim Diameter
:Diameter of
the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description
:These
characters represent the load
index and speed rating of the
tire. The load index represents
the load carrying capacity a tire is certified to carry. The speed
rating is the maximum speed a
tire is certified to carry a load.
Tire Terminology and
Definitions
Air Pressure:The amount of
air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of
the tire. Air pressure is
expressed in psi (pounds per
square inch) or kPa (kilopascal).
Accessory Weight
:This
means the combined weight of
optional accessories. Some
examples of optional
accessories are, automatic
transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows,
power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship
of a tire's height to its width.
Black plate (60,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011
10-60 Vehicle Care
A rear blowout, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid and
may require the same correction
you would use in a skid. In any rear
blowout remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle
under control by steering the way
you want the vehicle to go. It may
be very bumpy and noisy, but you
can still steer. Gently brake to a
stop, well off the road, if possible.
{WARNING
Driving on a flat tire will cause
permanent damage to the tire.
Re-inflating a tire after it has been
driven on while severely
under-inflated or flat may cause a
blowout and a serious crash.
Never attempt to re-inflate a tire
that has been driven on while
severely under-inflated or flat.
Have your dealer or an authorized
tire service center repair or
replace the flat tire as soon as
possible.
{WARNING
Lifting a vehicle and getting under
it to do maintenance or repairs is
dangerous without the
appropriate safety equipment and
training. If a jack is provided with
the vehicle, it is designed only for
changing a flat tire. If it is used for
anything else, you or others could
be badly injured or killed if the
vehicle slips off the jack. If a jack
is provided with the vehicle, only
use it for changing a flat tire.
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place, well off the road,
if possible. Turn on the hazard
warning flashers. See Hazard
Warning Flashers on page 6‑4.
{WARNING
Changing a tire can be
dangerous. The vehicle can slip
off the jack and roll over or fall on
you or other people. You and they
could be badly injured or even
killed. Find a level place to
change your tire. To help prevent
the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put an automatic transmission shift lever in
P (Park), or shift a manual
transmission to 1 (First) or
R (Reverse).
3. Turn off the engine and do not restart while the vehicle
is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to remain in the vehicle.
(Continued)
Black plate (79,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2011
Vehicle Care 10-79
Notice:Ignoring these steps
could result in costly damage to
the vehicle that would not be
covered by the warranty.
Trying to start the vehicle by
pushing or pulling it will not
work, and it could damage the
vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must
have a 12-volt battery with a
negative ground system.
Notice: If the other vehicle's
system is not a 12-volt system
with a negative ground, both
vehicles can be damaged. Only
use vehicles with 12-volt systems
with negative grounds to jump
start your vehicle. 2. Get the vehicles close enough
so the jumper cables can reach,
but be sure the vehicles are not
touching each other. If they are,
it could cause a ground
connection you do not want. You
would not be able to start your
vehicle, and the bad grounding
could damage the electrical
systems.
To avoid the possibility of the
vehicles rolling, set the parking
brake firmly on both vehicles
involved in the jump start
procedure. Put an automatic
transmission in P (Park) or a
manual transmission in
N (Neutral) before setting the
parking brake. Notice:
If you leave the radio or
other accessories on during the
jump starting procedure, they
could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by the
warranty. Always turn off the
radio and other accessories when
jump starting the vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both
vehicles. Unplug unnecessary
accessories plugged into the
cigarette lighter or the accessory
power outlet. Turn off the radio
and all lamps that are not
needed. This will avoid sparks
and help save both batteries.
And it could save the radio!