
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
Vehicle Care 285
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
0293ii.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0289
ii.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0289
ii.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
(Engine) 0294
iior Cooling
System (Power Electronics)
0 295
ii.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brakes 0300
ii.
6. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant 0296
ii.
7. Battery - North America 0302
ii.
8. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal (Under Cover). See
Jump Starting - North America
0352
ii.
9. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0312
ii.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 300
ii. 11. Remote Negative (-) Battery
Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0352
ii.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
Vehicle Care 287
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
0293ii.
2. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
(Engine) 0294
iior Cooling
System (Power Electronics)
0 295
ii.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0289
ii.
4. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0289
ii.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brakes 0300
ii.
6. Automatic Transmission Fluid Fill Cap. See Automatic
Transmission Fluid 0293
ii.
7. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant 0296
ii.
8. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal (Under Cover). See
Jump Starting - North America
0352
ii. 9. Power Electronics Coolant
Reservoir. See Cooling System
(Engine) 0294
iior Cooling
System (Power Electronics)
0 295
ii.
10. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0312
ii.
11. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 300
ii.
12. Remote Negative (-) Battery Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0352
ii.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
Vehicle Care 289
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
0293ii.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0289
ii.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0289
ii.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
(Engine) 0294
iior Cooling
System (Power Electronics)
0 295
ii.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brakes 0300
ii.
6. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant 0296
ii.
7. Battery - North America 0302
ii.
8. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal (Under Cover). See
Jump Starting - North America
0352
ii.
9. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0312
ii.
10. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 300
ii. 11. Remote Negative (-) Battery
Terminal. See Jump Starting -
North America 0352
ii.
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:
.
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 0291
ii.
. Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” later 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
0 284
iifor 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.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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298 Vehicle Care
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 slowly counterclockwise. 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.
1.5L L4 Turbo and 2.0L L4 Turbo
Coolant Surge Tank
1.8L L4 Hybrid CoolantSurge Tank
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture to the mark
pointed to on 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 fan.
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 reaches the
mark pointed to on the coolant
surge tank.
5. Replace the cap tightly.
Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and
possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has an engine coolant
temperature gauge on the
instrument cluster to warn of engine
overheating. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge 0117
ii.
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
get service help right away. Contact
your dealer for additional
information.
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
302 Vehicle Care
{Warning
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic
system.
When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. See Brake System Warning
Light 0122
ii.
Brake fluid absorbs water over time
which degrades the effectiveness of
the brake fluid. Replace brake fluid
at the specified intervals to prevent
increased stopping distance. See
Maintenance Schedule 0368
ii.
What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 3
brake fluid from a clean, sealed
container. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0376
ii.
{Warning
The wrong or contaminated brake
fluid could result in damage to the
brake system. This could result in
the loss of braking leading to a
possible injury. Always use the
proper GM approved brake fluid.
Caution
If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces, the
paint finish can be damaged.
Immediately wash off any painted
surface.
Battery - North America
The original equipment battery is
maintenance free. Do not remove
the cap and do not add fluid.
The non-hybrid vehicle has a
standard 12-volt battery under the
hood. See Engine Compartment
Overview 0284
ii. Refer to the replacement number
shown on the original battery label
when a new 12-volt battery is
needed.
Hybrid Vehicle
The hybrid vehicle 12-volt battery is
in the trunk on the driver side.
Hybrid vehicles also have a high
voltage battery. Only a trained
service technician with the proper
knowledge and tools should inspect,
test, or replace the high voltage
battery. See your dealer if the high
voltage battery needs service. The
dealer has information on how to
recycle the high voltage battery.
The hybrid high voltage battery is
cooled with air drawn from the
vehicle interior. The cold air intake
for the battery is under the rear
seat. Do not block the area in front
of the cold air intake.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
304 Vehicle Care
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. 3. With the engine off, turn the
ignition on, but do not start the
engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the
shift lever out of P (Park) with
normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of P (Park), contact
your dealer for service.
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{Warning
When you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured
and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot on the regular brake, set
the parking brake.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 307
2. For the driver side bulb,remove the windshield washer
bottle filler neck by firmly
pulling it straight up and out of
the bottle.
3. Remove the cap from the back of the headlamp assembly by
turning it counterclockwise.
4. Disconnect the electrical connector.
5. Remove the bulb from the lamp assembly by turning
counterclockwise.
6. Install a new bulb in the lamp assembly.
7. Connect the electrical connector.
8. Replace the cap from the back of the headlamp assembly by
turning it clockwise.
9. For the driver side, reinstall the windshield washer bottle filler
neck by firmly pushing it
straight into the bottle. Ensure
that the filler neck clip engages
into the bracket on the upper
tie-bar.Front Turn Signal, Parking, and
Sidemarker Lamps
To replace one of these lamps:
1. For the driver side bulb, remove the windshield washer
bottle filler neck by firmly
pulling it straight up and out of
the bottle.
2. Remove the bulb socket from the headlamp assembly by
turning it counterclockwise.
3. Remove the bulb from the socket.
4. Replace the bulb in the bulb socket.
5. Install the bulb socket in the headlamp assembly by turning
it clockwise.
6. For the driver side, reinstall the windshield washer bottle filler
neck by firmly pushing it
straight into the bottle. Ensure
that the filler neck clip engages
into the bracket on the upper
tie-bar.
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps (LS and LT)
Trunk Deck Inboard Taillamp and
Back-Up Lamp
1. Back-Up Lamp
2. Taillamp
1. Open the trunk. See Trunk
0 42ii.
2. Remove the push pins and pull back the trunk deck trim.
3. Remove the bulb socket by turning counterclockwise and
pulling straight out.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
9087641) - 2016 - crc - 9/3/15
308 Vehicle Care
4. Remove the bulb from thesocket.
5. Install the new bulb in the bulb socket.
6. Install the bulb socket by turning clockwise.
7. Install the trunk deck trim.
Stoplamp/Taillamp and Turn
Signal Lamp
1. Stop/Tail/Turn Signal Lamp
2. Sidemarker Lamp
Caution
Improper lamp assembly removal
and installation can cause leaks
and water intrusion which may
cause damage to the taillamp. Do
not remove the taillamp assembly
to replace a bulb. Use the trunk
opening to access the bulb.
To replace any one of these bulbs: 1. Open the trunk. See Trunk
0 42
ii.
2. Remove the push pins and pull the trunk trim away from the
taillamp assembly.
3. Remove three hex-nuts from each stud.
4. Remove the lamp by pulling it straight back.
5. Remove the bulb socket from the taillamp assembly by
turning it counterclockwise.
6. Remove the bulb from the socket by turning the bulb
counterclockwise one-quarter
turn and pulling it straight out. 7. Install a new bulb into the
socket.
8. Install the bulb socket into the taillamp assembly by turning it
clockwise.
9. Install the trunk trim, hex nuts, and push pins.
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps (LTZ)
The trunk deck inboard taillamp is
an LED. To replace the taillamp see
your dealer.
Back-Up Lamp
1. Open the trunk. See Trunk
0 42
ii.
2. Remove the push pins and pull back the trunk deck trim.