Page 316 of 398
Black plate (76,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
10-76 Vehicle Care
5. Position the lift head at the jacklocation nearest the flat tire.
Make sure all of the jack lift
head is touching the jacking
flange under the body. Do not
place the jack under a body
panel.
6. Put the compact spare tire near the flat tire.
{WARNING
Getting under a vehicle when it is
jacked up is dangerous. If the
vehicle slips off the jack, you
could be badly injured or killed.
Never get under a vehicle when it
is supported only by a jack.
{WARNING
Raising the vehicle with the jack
improperly positioned can
damage the vehicle and even
make the vehicle fall. To help
avoid personal injury and vehicle
damage, be sure to fit the jack lift
head into the proper location
before raising the vehicle.7. Raise the vehicle by turning thewrench clockwise. Raise the
vehicle far enough off the
ground so there is enough room
for the compact spare tire to fit.
Page 318 of 398

Black plate (78,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
10-78 Vehicle Care
12. Put the wheel nuts back onwith the rounded end toward
the wheel. Tighten each nut by
hand or with the wrench until
the wheel is held against
the hub.
13. Lower the vehicle by turningthe wrench counterclockwise.
Lower the jack completely.
{WARNING
Wheel nuts that are improperly or
incorrectly tightened can cause
the wheels to become loose or
come off. The wheel nuts should
be tightened with a torque wrench
to the proper torque specification
after replacing. Follow the torque
specification supplied by the
aftermarket manufacturer when
using accessory locking wheel
nuts. See Capacities and
Specifications on page 12‑2 for
original equipment wheel nut
torque specifications.
Notice: Improperly tightened
wheel nuts can lead to brake
pulsation and rotor damage.
To avoid expensive brake repairs,
evenly tighten the wheel nuts in
the proper sequence and to the
proper torque specification.
See Capacities and Specifications
on page 12‑2 for the wheel nut
torque specification.
14. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in a crisscross sequence, as
shown, with the wheel wrench.
Notice: Wheel covers will not fit
on the vehicle's compact spare.
If you try to put a wheel cover on
the compact spare, the cover or
the spare could be damaged.
Do not try to put a wheel cover on
the compact spare tire. It will not fit.
Store the wheel cover and wheel
nut caps in the trunk until you have
the flat tire repaired or replaced.
Page 319 of 398
Black plate (79,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-79
Storing a Flat Tire and Tools
{WARNING
Storing a jack, a tire, or other
equipment in the passenger
compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or
collision, loose equipment could
strike someone. Store all these in
the proper place.
To store the flat tire and jack in the
compact spare tire compartment:
1. Open the trunk. See Trunk on
page 2‑9.
2. Remove the bolt extension (in the yellow sleeve) from the
jack and remove the center cap
from the wheel.
3. Collapse the wrench using thesame button used to extend it.
4. Attach the wrench to the jack by placing the tab on the wrench
into the hole on the side of the
jack. Then place the wrench
handle over the tab on the side
of the jack.5. Raise the jack to the heightshown and lock the wrench onto
the jack.
Page 321 of 398
Black plate (81,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-81
The compact spare is for temporary
use only. Replace the compact
spare tire with a full-size tire as
soon as you can. SeeCompact
Spare Tire on page 10‑82.
Storing the Spare Tire and
Tools
{WARNING
Storing a jack, a tire, or other
equipment in the passenger
compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or
collision, loose equipment could
strike someone. Store all these in
the proper place.
1. Open the trunk. See Trunk on
page 2‑9.
2. Collapse the wrench using the same button used to extend it.
3. Attach the wrench to the jack by placing the tab on the wrench
into the hole on the side of the
jack. Then place the wrench
handle over the tab on the side
of the jack.4. Raise the jack to the heightshown and lock the wrench onto
the jack.
Page 328 of 398

Black plate (88,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
10-88 Vehicle Care
Here are some important things to
consider before recreational vehicle
towing:
.What's the towing capacity of the
towing vehicle? Be sure to read
the tow vehicle manufacturer's
recommendations.
.How far will the vehicle be
towed? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and
how long they can tow.
.Does the vehicle have the
proper towing equipment?
See your dealer or trailering
professional for additional
advice and equipment
recommendations.
.Is the vehicle ready to be
towed? Just as preparing the
vehicle for a long trip, make sure
the vehicle is prepared to be
towed.
Dinghy Towing
When dinghy towing, the vehicle
should be run at the beginning of
each day and at each RV fuel stop
for about five minutes. This will
ensure proper lubrication of
transmission components.
To dinghy tow the vehicle from the
front with all four wheels on the
ground:
1. Position the vehicle to tow andthen secure it to the towing
vehicle. 2. Shift the transmission to
P (Park) and turn the ignition
to LOCK/OFF.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. To prevent the battery from draining while the vehicle is
being towed, remove the
following fuse from the
instrument panel fuse block:
(IGN SENSOR). See Instrument
Panel Fuse Block on page 10‑37
for more information.
5. Turn the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY.
6. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
7. Release the parking brake.
Remember to reinstall the IGN
SENSOR fuse once the destination
has been reached.
Page 332 of 398

Black plate (92,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
10-92 Vehicle Care
Wheels and Trim—Aluminum
or Chrome
Use a soft, clean cloth with mild
soap and water to clean the wheels.
After rinsing thoroughly with clean
water, dry with a soft, clean towel.
A wax may then be applied.
Keep the wheels clean using a soft,
clean cloth with mild soap and
water. Rinse with clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft,
clean towel. A wax may then be
applied.
Notice: Chrome wheels and other
chrome trim may be damaged if
the vehicle is not washed after
driving on roads that have been
sprayed with magnesium,
calcium, or sodium chloride.
These chlorides are used on
roads for conditions such as ice
and dust. Always wash the
chrome with soap and water after
exposure. Notice:
To avoid surface damage,
do not use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes,
cleaners, brushes, or cleaners
that contain acid on aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels. Use only
approved cleaners. Also, never
drive a vehicle with aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels through an
automatic car wash that uses
silicone carbide tire cleaning
brushes. Damage could occur
and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Steering, Suspension, and
Chassis Components
Visually inspect front and rear
suspension and steering system for
damaged, loose, or missing parts or
signs of wear. Inspect power
steering lines and hoses for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Visually check constant
velocity joints, rubber boots, and
axle seals for leaks.
Body Component Lubrication
Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
hood hinges, liftgate hinges, and the
steel fuel door hinge unless the
components are plastic. Applying
silicone grease on weatherstrips
with a clean cloth will make them
last longer, seal better, and not stick
or squeak.
Underbody Maintenance
Use plain water to flush dirt and
debris from the vehicle's underbody.
Your dealer or an underbody car
washing system can do this. If not
removed, rust and corrosion can
develop.
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.
Page 340 of 398
Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
11-4 Service and Maintenance
.Lubricate body components. See
Exterior Care on page 10‑90.
.Check starter switch. SeeStarter
Switch Check on page 10‑27.
.Check automatic transmission
shift lock control function. See
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function Check on
page 10‑28.
.Check ignition transmission lock.
See Ignition Transmission Lock
Check on page 10‑28.
.Check parking brake and
automatic transmission park
mechanism. See Park Brake and
P (Park) Mechanism Check on
page 10‑28.
.Check accelerator pedal for
damage, high effort, or binding.
Replace if needed.
.Visually inspect gas strut for
signs of wear, cracks, or other
damage. Check the hold open
ability of the strut. See your
dealer if service is required.
.Check tire sealant expiration
date, if equipped. See Tire
Sealant and Compressor Kit on
page 10‑67.
.Inspect sunroof track and seal,
if equipped. See Sunroof on
page 2‑18.
Page 348 of 398

Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
11-12 Service and Maintenance
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
UsageFluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil Use only engine oil licensed to the dexos1 specfication, or equivalent, of
the proper SAE viscosity grade. ACDelco dexos1 Synthetic Blend is
recommended. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑10.
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL Coolant.
See
Engine Coolant on page 10‑16.
Hydraulic Brake System DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid (GM Part No. 88862806, in
Canada 88862807).
Windshield Washer Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Hydraulic Power Steering System (if equipped) GM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part No. 89021184, in Canada 89021186).
Automatic Transmission DEXRON
®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock Cylinders Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Hood Latch Assembly, Secondary Latch, Pivots, Spring Anchor, and
Release Pawl Lubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM Part No. 12346293, in Canada 992723)
or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.