Page 268 of 428
Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081487) - 2014 - CRC - 11/19/13
10-6 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10-13.
2. Engine Cover.
3. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine
Oil on page 10-10.
4. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine
Oil on page 10-10. 5. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of
View). See Cooling System on
page 10-16.
6. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brakes on page 10-22.
7. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 10-17. 8.
Battery on page 10-24.
9. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10-38.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
on page 10-21.
Page 270 of 428
Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081487) - 2014 - CRC - 11/19/13
10-8 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10-13.
2. Engine Cover.
3. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System on
page 10-16.
4. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine
Oil on page 10-10.
5. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine
Oil on page 10-10. 6. High Voltage Cable (Orange
Color).
7. Transmission Fluid Cap (Out of View). See Automatic
Transmission Fluid on
page 10-13.
8. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brakes on page 10-22.
9. Battery (Under Cover). See Battery on page 10-24. 10. Coolant Surge Tank and
Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 10-17.
11. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10-38.
12. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
on page 10-21.
Page 272 of 428

Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081487) - 2014 - CRC - 11/19/13
10-10 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10-13.
2. Engine Cover.
3. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine
Oil on page 10-10.
4. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine
Oil on page 10-10.
5. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System on
page 10-16.
6. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brakes on page 10-22.
7. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 10-17.
8. Battery (Under Cover). See Battery on page 10-24.
9. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10-38.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
on page 10-21.Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.Always use engine oil approved
to the proper specification and of
the proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
.Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
.Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System on page 10-12.
.Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine
oil level at each fuel fill. In order to
get an accurate reading, the vehicle
must be on level ground. The
engine oil dipstick handle is a loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 10-5 for the location of the
engine oil dipstick.
Obtaining an accurate oil level
reading is essential:
1. If the engine has been running recently, turn off the engine and
allow several minutes for the oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
Checking the oil level too soon
after engine shutoff will not
provide an accurate oil level
reading.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
Page 275 of 428

Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081487) - 2014 - CRC - 11/19/13
Vehicle Care 10-13
When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished, it
indicates that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message comes on. See
Engine Oil Messages on page 5-29.
Change the oil as soon as possible
within the next 1 000 km (600 mi).
It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life
system might indicate that an oil
change is not necessary for up to a
year. 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 mi)
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 to ON/RUN withthe engine off.
2. Press the DIC MENU button on the turn signal lever to enter the
Vehicle Information Menu. Use
the thumbwheel to scroll through
the menu items until you reach
REMAINING OIL LIFE.
3. Press the SET/CLR button to reset the oil life at 100%.
4. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
The system is reset when the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message is off and the REMAINING
OIL LIFE 100% message is
displayed. If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not been 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 your
dealer and have it repaired as soon
as possible.
Change the fluid at the intervals
listed in
Maintenance Schedule on
page 11-3, and be sure to use the
fluid listed in Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11-12.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter is in the
engine compartment on the
passenger side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 10-5.
Page 276 of 428

Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081487) - 2014 - CRC - 11/19/13
10-14 Vehicle Care
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect/replace the air cleaner/filter
at the scheduled maintenance
intervals listed inMaintenance
Schedule on page 11-3. If you are
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 covered with dirt, a new
filter is required. To inspect or replace the engine air
cleaner/filter:
2.0L L4 Engine
1. Remove the nine screws on top of the engine air cleaner/filter
housing.
2. Lift the filter cover housing away from the engine air cleaner/filter
housing.
3. Pull out the filter.
4. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/filter.
5. Lower the filter cover housing toward the engine. 6. Install the nine screws on the top
of the housing to lock the cover
in place.2.4L L4 Engine eAssist
1. Remove the six screws on top of the engine air cleaner/filter
housing.
2. Lift the filter cover housing away from the engine air cleaner/filter
housing.
3. Pull out the filter.
4. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/filter.
Page 277 of 428

Black plate (15,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081487) - 2014 - CRC - 11/19/13
Vehicle Care 10-15
5. Lower the filter cover housingtoward the engine.
6. Install the six screws on the top of the housing to lock the cover
in place.
2.5L L4 Engine
1. Remove the five screws on top of the engine air cleaner/filter
housing. 2. Lift the filter cover housing away
from the engine air cleaner/filter
housing.
3. Pull out the filter.
4. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/filter.
5. Lower the filter cover housing toward the engine.
6. Install the five screws on the top of the housing to lock the cover
in place.
{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.
{Caution
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.
Page 281 of 428

Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081487) - 2014 - CRC - 11/19/13
Vehicle Care 10-19
{Caution
This vehicle has a specific
coolant fill procedure. Failure to
follow this procedure could cause
the engine to overheat and be
severely damaged.
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out
and burn you badly. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the surge tank pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling
system and surge tank pressure
cap to cool.
The coolant surge tank pressure
cap can be removed when the
cooling system, including the surge
tank pressure cap and upper
radiator hose, is no longer hot.
1. Turn the pressure cap slowlycounterclockwise. If a hiss is
heard, wait for that to stop.
A hiss means there is still some
pressure left.
2. Keep turning the cap and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank withthe proper mixture to the mark
pointed to on the front of the
coolant surge tank.
4. With the coolant surge tank cap off, start the engine and let it run
until the upper radiator hose
starts getting hot. Watch out for
the engine cooling fans. By this
time, the coolant level inside the
coolant surge tank may be
lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper mixture to the
coolant surge tank until the level
Page 288 of 428

Black plate (26,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081487) - 2014 - CRC - 11/19/13
10-26 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Storage
{Warning
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. SeeJump Starting
(On-board with eAssist Only) on
page 10-91 orJump Starting (with
or without eAssist) on page 10-92
for tips on working around a
battery without getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: Remove the
12-volt battery black, negative (−)
cable from the battery to keep the
battery from running down.
Extended Storage: Remove the
12-volt battery black, negative (−)
cable from the battery or use a
battery trickle charger.
Remember to reconnect the battery
when ready to drive the vehicle.
Starter Switch 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.
2. Apply both the parking brake and the regular brake.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it
starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. 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. Apply the parking brake. Be ready to apply the regular brake
immediately if the vehicle begins
to move.