2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU air filter

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-1
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . . 10-3
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-6
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-10
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . 10-12
Automatic Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-14
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . 10-14 Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . 10-20
Overheated Engine
Protection
Operating Mode . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . 10-22
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-23
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-24
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . 10-27
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-28
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-29
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Taillamps, Turn Signal, andStoplamps (LS and LT) . . . . 10-30
Back-Up Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . 10-33
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-34
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-35
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Rear Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-40

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-7
A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑14.
B. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling
System on page 10‑16.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
under Engine Oil on
page 10‑10.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking Engine
Oil” under Engine Oil on
page 10‑10.
E. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. See Engine Coolant on
page 10‑16. F. Pressure Cap. See
Cooling
System on page 10‑16.
G. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
under Brakes on page 10‑24.
H. Battery on page 10‑26.
I. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid on
page 10‑23.
J. See Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10‑35.

Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-9
A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑14.
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See Power Steering Fluid on
page 10‑22.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” under Engine Oil on
page 10‑10.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
under Engine Oil on
page 10‑10.
E. Electric Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling
System on page 10‑16. F. Engine Coolant Surge Tank.
See Engine Coolant on
page 10‑16.
G. Pressure Cap. See Cooling
System on page 10‑16.
H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
under Brakes on page 10‑24.
I. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick (Out of View).
See “Checking the Fluid Level”
under Automatic Transmission
Fluid on page 10‑14. J. See
Battery on page 10‑26.
K. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10‑35.
L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding Washer
Fluid” under Washer Fluid on
page 10‑23.

Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
10-14 Vehicle Care
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.
Change the fluid and filter at the
intervals listed inMaintenance
Schedule on page 11‑2, and be sure
to use the transmission fluid listed
in Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑12. Notice:
Use of the incorrect
automatic transmission fluid may
damage the vehicle, and the
damages may not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Always use
the automatic transmission fluid
listed in Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11‑12.
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 Overview
on page 10‑6 for 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 Maintenance Schedule
on page 11‑2 for more information.
If driving in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspect the filter at each engine oil
change.

Black plate (15,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-15
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 covered with dirt, a new
filter is required.
To inspect or replace the engine air
cleaner/filter:
1. Remove the spring clamps thathold the cover on.
2. Lift off the cover.
3. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/filter.
4. Align the filter correctly using the alignment tab.
5. Install the cover by guiding the tabs on the rim of the top cover
into the bottom hinges and turn
the cover down to close it.
6. The spring clips will engage easily, if the cover is properly
seated.
{WARNING
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/filter off can cause you or
others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air; it
helps to stop flames if the engine
backfires. Use caution when
working on the engine and do not
drive with the air cleaner/filter off.
Notice: If the air cleaner/filter is
off, dirt can easily get into the
engine, which could damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/filter
in place when you are driving.

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Service and Maintenance 11-3
Engine Oil Change
When the CHANGE ENGINE OIL
SOON message displays, have the
engine oil and filter changed within
the next 1 000 km/600 mi. If driven
under the best conditions, the
engine oil life system might not
indicate the need for vehicle service
for more than a year. The engine oil
and filter must be changed at least
once a year and the oil life system
must be reset. Your trained dealer
technician can perform this work.
If the engine oil life system is reset
accidentally, service the vehicle
within 5 000 km/3,000 mi since the
last service. Reset the oil life
system when the oil is changed.
SeeEngine Oil Life System on
page 10‑12.
Tire Rotation and Required
Services Every 12 000 km/
7,500 mi
Rotate the tires, if recommended
for the vehicle, and perform the
following services. See Tire
Rotation on page 10‑57.
.Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed,
change engine oil and filter, and
reset oil life system. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑10 andEngine
Oil Life System on page 10‑12.
.Check engine coolant level.
See Engine Coolant on
page 10‑16.
.Check windshield washer fluid
level. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑23.
.Visually inspect windshield
wiper blades for wear, cracking,
or contamination. See Exterior
Care on page 10‑90. Replace
worn or damaged wiper blades.
See Wiper Blade Replacement
on page 10‑29.
.Check tire inflation pressures.
See Tire Pressure on
page 10‑50.
.Inspect tire wear. See Tire
Inspection on page 10‑57.
.Visually check for fluid leaks.
.Inspect engine air cleaner filter.
See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑14.
.Inspect brake system.
.Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of
wear. See Exterior Care on
page 10‑90.
.Check restraint system
components. See Safety System
Check on page 3‑17.
.Visually inspect fuel system for
damage or leaks.
.Visually inspect exhaust system
and nearby heat shields for
loose or damaged parts.

Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
Service and Maintenance 11-13
UsageFluid/Lubricant
Hood and Door Hinges Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Weatherstrip Conditioning Weatherstrip Lubricant (GM Part No. 3634770, in Canada 10953518) or
Dielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part No. 12345579, in Canada 992887).
Maintenance Replacement Parts
Replacement parts identified below by name, part number, or specification can be obtained from your dealer.
Part GM Part Number ACDelco Part Number
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 22676970 A1627C
Engine Oil Filter 2.4L L4 Engine 12605566 PF457G
3.6L V6 Engine 12600224 PF48
Spark Plugs 2.4L L4 Engine 12625058 41-103
3.6L V6 Engine 12622561 41-109
Wiper Blades Driver Side –60.0 cm (23.6 in) 25800624 —
Passenger Side –53.0 cm (21.0 in) 25800623 —

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual - 2012
12-2 Technical Data
Vehicle Data
Capacities and Specifications
ApplicationCapacities
Metric English
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a For the air conditioning system refrigerant charge
amount, see the refrigerant label located under the hood. See your dealer for more information.
Engine Cooling System 2.4L L4 Engine 7.1 L 7.5 qt
3.6L V6 Engines 9.4 L 9.9 qt
Engine Oil with Filter
2.4L L4 Engine 4.7 L 5.0 qt
3.6L V6 Engine 5.7 L 6.0 qt
Fuel Tank 61.7 L 16.3 gal