
Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7575972) - 2015 - crc - 4/1/14
10-8 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10-11.
2. Engine Cover.
3. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine
Oil on page 10-8.
4. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine
Oil on page 10-8.
5. Engine Cooling Fans (Out of View). See Cooling System on
page 10-13.
6. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brakes on page 10-19.
7. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 10-14.
8. Battery (Under Cover). See Battery on page 10-21.
9. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 10-34.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
on page 10-18.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 10-10.
.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.

Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7575972) - 2015 - crc - 4/1/14
Vehicle Care 10-21
{Warning
With the wrong kind of fluid in the
brake hydraulic system, the
brakes might not work well. This
could cause a crash. Always use
the proper brake fluid.
{Caution
.Using the wrong fluid can
badly damage brake
hydraulic system parts. For
example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as
engine oil, in the brake
hydraulic system can damage
brake hydraulic system parts
so badly that they will have to
be replaced. Do not let
someone put in the wrong
kind of fluid.(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
.If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces,
the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to
spill brake fluid on the
vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately.
Battery
This vehicle has a standard 12-volt
battery under the hood. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10-5.
Refer to the replacement number
shown on the original battery label
when a new 12-volt battery is
needed. The vehicle has an
Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) 12-volt
battery. Installation of a standard
12-volt battery will result in reduced
12-volt battery life.
When using a 12-volt battery
charger on the 12-volt AGM battery,
some chargers have an AGM battery setting on the charger.
If available, use the AGM setting on
the charger, to limit charge voltage
to 14.8 volts.
Stop/Start System
If equipped with the 2.5L L4 Engine,
the vehicle has a stop/start system
to shut off the engine to help
conserve fuel. See
Starting the
Engine on page 9-18.
For stop/start equipped vehicles,
there is an auxiliary battery behind
the access panel in the left rear of
the trunk. This battery is for

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7575972) - 2015 - crc - 4/1/14
10-22 Vehicle Care
managing the stop/start auxiliary
loads and is not to be used for any
other purpose. See your dealer if
the auxiliary battery needs service.
{Warning
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and reproductive
harm. Wash hands after handling.
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
page 10-76 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.

Black plate (34,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7575972) - 2015 - crc - 4/1/14
10-34 Vehicle Care
Headlamp Wiring
An electrical overload may cause
the lamps to go on and off, or in
some cases to remain off. Have the
headlamp wiring checked right away
if the lamps go on and off or
remain off.
Windshield Wipers
If the wiper motor overheats due to
heavy snow or ice, the windshield
wipers will stop until the motor cools
and will then restart.
Although the circuit is protected
from electrical overload, overload
due to heavy snow or ice may
cause wiper linkage damage.
Always clear ice and heavy snow
from the windshield before using the
windshield wipers.
If the overload is caused by an
electrical problem and not snow or
ice, be sure to get it fixed.
Fuses
The wiring circuits in the vehicle are
protected from short circuits by
fuses. This greatly reduces the
chance of damage caused by
electrical problems.
To check a fuse, look at the
silver-colored band inside the fuse.
If the band is broken or melted,
replace the fuse. Be sure to replace
a bad fuse with a new one of the
identical size and rating.
Fuses of the same amperage can
be temporarily borrowed from
another fuse location, if a fuse goes
out. Replace the fuse as soon as
possible.
To identify and check fuses, circuit
breakers, and relays, seeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on
page 10-34 andInstrument Panel
Fuse Block on page 10-38.
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block
The engine compartment fuse block
is on the driver side of the engine
compartment, near the battery.
{Caution
Spilling liquid on any electrical
component on the vehicle may
damage it. Always keep the
covers on any electrical
component.

Black plate (36,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7575972) - 2015 - crc - 4/1/14
10-36 Vehicle Care
The vehicle may not be equipped
with all of the fuses, relays, and
features shown.Mini
Fuses Usage
1 Transmission Control Module Battery
2 Engine Control Module Battery (LTG)/
Air Conditioning
Compressor
Clutch (LKW)
3 Air Conditioning Compressor
Clutch (LTG)
4 Air Conditioning Compressor
Clutch (LTG)
5 Engine Control Module Battery (LKW)
7 Engine Control Module Ignition (LKW)
8 Spare
9 Ignition Coils Mini
Fuses Usage
10 Engine Control Module
11 Emissions
13 Transmission Module Ignition
14 Cabin Heater Coolant Pump
15 Spare
16 Aero Shutter
17 Spare
18 R/C Dual Battery Isolator Module
20 Transmission Auxiliary Oil
Pump (LKW)
23 Spare (LKW)
29 Left Seat Power Lumber Control
30 Right Seat Power Lumber Control Mini
Fuses Usage
31 Chassis Control Module
32 Back-Up Lamps/ Interior Lamps
33 Front Heated Seats
34 Antilock Brake System Valve
35 Amplifier
37 Right High Beam
38 Left High Beam
46 Cooling Fan
47 Emissions
48 Foglamp
49 Low Beam HID Headlamp Right
50 Low Beam HID Headlamp Left
51 Horn/Dual Horn
52 Cluster Ignition

Black plate (37,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7575972) - 2015 - crc - 4/1/14
Vehicle Care 10-37
Mini
Fuses Usage
53 Inside Rearview Mirror/Rear Camera/
Fuel Module Ignition
54 Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Module Ignition
55 Front Power Windows/Mirrors
56 Windshield Washer
57 Spare
60 Heated Mirror
62 Canister Vent Solenoid
66 Spare
67 Fuel Module
69 Battery Voltage Sensor
70 Lane Departure/Rear Parking Aid/Side
Blind Zone Assist Mini
Fuses Usage
71 PEPS BATT
J-Case Fuses Usage
6 Front Wiper
12 Starter 1
21 Rear Power Window
22 Sunroof
24 Front Power Window
25 PEPS MTR
26 Antilock Brake System Pump
27 Not Used
28 Rear Defogger
41 Brake Vacuum Pump
42 Cooling Fan K2
44 Starter 2
45 Cooling Fan K1 J-Case
Fuses Usage
59 Air Pump Emissions
Mini
Relays Usage
7 Powertrain
9 Cooling Fan K2
13 Cooling Fan K1
15 Run/Crank
16 Spare
17 Window/Mirror Defogger
Micro
Relays Usage
1 Air Conditioning Compressor Clutch
2 Starter Solenoid
4 Front Wiper Speed
5 Front Wiper On

Black plate (76,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7575972) - 2015 - crc - 4/1/14
10-76 Vehicle Care
{Caution
When the compact spare is
installed, do not take the vehicle
through an automatic car wash
with guide rails. The compact
spare can get caught on the rails
which can damage the tire, wheel,
and other parts of the vehicle.
Do not use the compact spare on
other vehicles.
Do not mix the compact spare tire or
wheel with other wheels or tires.
They will not fit. Keep the spare tire
and its wheel together.
{Caution
Tire chains will not fit the compact
spare. Using them can damage
the vehicle and the chains. Do not
use tire chains on the compact
spare.
Jump Starting
For more information about the
vehicle battery, see Battery on
page 10-21.
If the battery has run down, you
may want to use another vehicle
and some jumper cables to start
your vehicle. Be sure to use the
following steps to do it safely.
{Warning
Batteries can hurt you. They can
be dangerous because:
.They contain acid that can
burn you.
.They contain gas that can
explode or ignite.
.They contain enough
electricity to burn you.
If you do not follow these steps
exactly, some or all of these
things can hurt you.
{Caution
Ignoring these steps could result
in costly damage to the vehicle
that would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Trying to start
the vehicle by pushing or pulling it
will not work, and it could damage
the vehicle.
The vehicle has a battery cover
which must be removed to gain
access to the battery for jump
starting.

Black plate (77,1)Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
7575972) - 2015 - crc - 4/1/14
Vehicle Care 10-77
1. Clips
2. Pivot Points
To remove the battery cover:
1. Release the two rear clips (1).
2. Lift the battery cover up towardthe front of the vehicle to release
it from the pivot points (2) and
remove.
3. Reverse Steps 1–2 to reinstall the battery cover.
The vehicle has a remote
positive (+) terminal under a trim
cover. It is under the battery cover
on the driver side of the engine
compartment. See Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 10-5. You should always use
this remote positive (+) terminal. The jump start negative grounding
point for the discharged battery is
the engine block or an engine
mounting bolt. Connect to a spot as
far away from the discharged
battery as possible.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must
have a 12-volt battery with a
negative ground system.
{Caution
If the other vehicle does not have
a 12-volt system with a negative
ground, both vehicles can be
damaged. Only use a vehicle that
has a 12-volt system with a
negative ground for jump starting.
2. Position the two vehicles so that they are not touching.
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