2014 CHEVROLET MALIBU Owners Manual

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081487) - 2014 - CRC - 11/19/13
Vehicle Care 10-3
cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and systems,
many fluids, and some component
wear by-products contain and/or
emit these chemicals.
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, safety belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
Remote Keyless Entry transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non‐dealer accessories or
making modifications to the vehicle
can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride andhandling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and
electronic systems like antilock
brakes, traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components
resulting from modifications or the
installation or use of non‐GM
certified parts, including control
module or software modifications, is
not covered under the terms of the
vehicle warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage for
affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. See your
dealer to accessorize the vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories
installed by a dealer technician.
Also, see
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 3-30.
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own
Service Work
{Warning
It can be dangerous to work on
your vehicle if you do not have
the proper knowledge, service
manual, tools, or parts. Always
follow owner manual procedures
and consult the service manual
for your vehicle before doing any
service work.
If doing some of your own service
work, use the proper service
manual. It tells you much more
about how to service the vehicle
than this manual can. To order the
proper service manual, see Service
Publications Ordering Information
on page 13-11.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081487) - 2014 - CRC - 11/19/13
10-4 Vehicle Care
This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your own
service work, seeServicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 3-30.
Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of
any service work performed. See
Maintenance Records on
page 11-14.
{Caution
Even small amounts of
contamination can cause damage
to vehicle systems. Do not allow
contaminants to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Hood
To open the hood:
1. Pull the hood release handle with this symbol on it. It is inside
the vehicle to the left of the
steering column.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle tofind the secondary release
handle. The handle is under the
front edge of the hood near the
center. Push the handle to the
right and at the same time raise
the hood.
3. After the hood is slightly lifted, it will continue to open to the full
position. Before closing the
hood, be sure all the filler caps
are on properly. Lower the hood
until the lifting force of the strut
is reduced, then release the
hood to latch fully. Check to
make sure the hood is closed
and repeat the process if
necessary.

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081487) - 2014 - CRC - 11/19/13
Vehicle Care 10-5
Engine Compartment Overview
2.0L L4 Engine

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.

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081487) - 2014 - CRC - 11/19/13
Vehicle Care 10-7
2.4L L4 Engine eAssist

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.

Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
6081487) - 2014 - CRC - 11/19/13
Vehicle Care 10-9
2.5L L4 Engine

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.