
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
294 Vehicle Care
2.0L L4 Turbo Engine
1. Engine Cooling Fan (Outof View)
2. Coolant Surge Tank andPressure Cap
{Warning
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{Warning
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you do,
you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you
could be burned. Get any leak
fixed before you drive the vehicle.
Caution
Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL®can cause
premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition,
the engine coolant could require
changing sooner. Any repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL (silicate-free) coolant
in the vehicle.
Cooling System (Power
Electronics)
The power electronics coolingsystem keeps the hybrid propulsionsystem within a normal operatingtemperature range.
What to Use
The power electronics coolantreservoir in the vehicle is filled witha50/50mixtureofDEX-COOL®
engine coolant and deionized water.If using this mixture, nothing elseneeds to be added.
The coolant needs to be replaced atthe appropriate interval. SeeMaintenance Schedule0369.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a levelsurface when checking the coolantlevel.
The power electronics coolantreservoir is located in the enginecompartment. SeeEngineCompartment Overview0283.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Vehicle Care 295
Check to see if coolant is visible inthe power electronics coolantreservoir. If coolant is visible but thecoolant level is below the cold fillline, there could be a leak in thecooling system.
The power electronics coolantshould only be serviced by aqualified technician.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle isfilled with DEX-COOL®enginecoolant mixture. SeeRecommendedFluids and Lubricants0377andMaintenance Schedule0369.
The following explains the coolingsystem and how to check and addcoolant when it is low. If there is aproblem with engine overheating,seeEngine Overheating0297.
What to Use
{Warning
Adding only plain water or some
other liquid to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water
and other liquids, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The coolant warning system is set
for the proper coolant mixture.
With plain water or the wrong
mixture, the engine could get too
hot but you would not get the
overheat warning. The engine
could catch fire and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/
50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,drinkable water and DEX-COOLcoolant. If using this mixture,nothing else needs to be added.
This mixture:
.Gives freezing protection downto✓37 °C (✓34 °F), outsidetemperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to129 °C (265 °F), enginetemperature.
.Protects against rust andcorrosion.
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
.Helps keep the proper enginetemperature.
Caution
If improper coolant mixture,
inhibitors, or additives are used in
the vehicle cooling system, the
engine could overheat and be
damaged. Too much water in the
mixture can freeze and crack
engine cooling parts. The repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Use only the
proper mixture of engine coolant
(Continued)

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
296 Vehicle Care
Caution (Continued)
for the cooling system. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants0377.
Never dispose of engine coolant byputting it in the trash, or by pouringit on the ground, or into sewers,streams or bodies of water. Havethe coolant changed by anauthorized service center, familiarwith legal requirements regardingused coolant disposal. This will helpprotect the environment and yourhealth.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a levelsurface when checking the coolantlevel.
Check to see if coolant is visible inthe coolant surge tank. If the coolantinside the coolant surge tank isboiling, do not do anything else untilit cools down.
If coolant is visible but the coolantlevel is not at or above the markpointed to, add a 50/50 mixture ofclean, drinkable water andDEX-COOL coolant.
Be sure the cooling system is coolbefore this is done.
If no coolant is visible in the coolantsurge tank, add coolant as follows:
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
{Warning
Yo u c a n b e b u r n e d i f y o u s p i l l
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
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.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Vehicle Care 299
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When windshield washer fluid isneeded, be sure to read themanufacturer's instructions beforeuse. If operating the vehicle in anarea where the temperature may fallbelow freezing, use a fluid that hassufficient protection againstfreezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the washersymbol on it. Add washer fluid untilthe tank is full. SeeEngineCompartment Overview0283forreservoir location.
Caution
.Do not use washer fluid thatcontains any type of waterrepellent coating. This cancause the wiper blades tochatter or skip.
.Do not use engine coolant(antifreeze) in thewindshield washer. It candamage the windshieldwasher system and paint.
.Do not mix water withready-to-use washer fluid.Water can cause thesolution to freeze anddamage the washer fluidtank and other parts of thewasher system.
.When using concentratedwasher fluid, follow themanufacturer instructions foradding water.
.Fill the washer fluid tankonly three-quarters full whenit is very cold. This allowsfor fluid expansion if
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
freezing occurs, which coulddamage the tank if it iscompletely full.
Brakes
Disc brake pads have built-in wearindicators that make a high-pitchedwarning sound when the brake padsare worn and new pads are needed.The sound can come and go or canbe heard all the time when thevehicle is moving, except whenapplying the brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
acrash.Whenthebrakewear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Vehicle Care 301
{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 lowlevel, the brake warning light comeson. SeeBrake System WarningLight0124.
Brake fluid absorbs water over timewhich degrades the effectiveness ofthe brake fluid. Replace brake fluidat the specified intervals to preventincreased stopping distance. SeeMaintenance Schedule0369.
What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 3brake fluid from a clean, sealedcontainer. SeeRecommendedFluids and Lubricants0377.
{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 ismaintenance free. Do not removethe cap and do not add fluid.
The non-hybrid vehicle has astandard 12-volt battery under thehood. SeeEngine CompartmentOverview0283.
Refer to the replacement numbershown on the original battery labelwhen a new 12-volt battery isneeded.
Hybrid Vehicle
The hybrid vehicle 12-volt battery isin the trunk on the driver side.Hybrid vehicles also have a highvoltage battery. Only a trainedservice technician with the properknowledge and tools should inspect,test, or replace the high voltagebattery. See your dealer if the highvoltage battery needs service. Thedealer has information on how torecycle the high voltage battery.
The hybrid high voltage battery iscooled with air drawn from thevehicle interior. The cold air intakefor the battery is under the rearseat. Do not block the area in frontof the cold air intake.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Vehicle Care 307
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps (LS and LT)
Trunk Deck Inboard Taillamp andBack-Up Lamp
1. Back-Up Lamp
2. Taillamp
1. Open the trunk. SeeTr u n k044.
2. Remove the push pins and pullback the trunk deck trim.
3. Remove the bulb socket byturning counterclockwise andpulling straight out.
4. Remove the bulb from thesocket.
5. Install the new bulb in the bulbsocket.
6. Install the bulb socket byturning clockwise.
7. Install the trunk deck trim.
Stoplamp/Taillamp and TurnSignal 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 r e p l a c e a n y o n e o f t h e s e b u l b s :
1. Open the trunk. SeeTr u n k044.
2. Remove the push pins and pullthe trunk trim away from thetaillamp assembly.
3. Remove three hex-nuts fromeach stud.
4. Remove the lamp by pulling itstraight back.
5. Remove the bulb socket fromthe taillamp assembly byturning it counterclockwise.
6. Remove the bulb from thesocket by turning the bulbcounterclockwise one-quarterturn and pulling it straight out.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
308 Vehicle Care
7. Install a new bulb into thesocket.
8. Install the bulb socket into thetaillamp assembly by turning itclockwise.
9. Install the trunk trim, hex nuts,and push pins.
Taillamps, Turn Signal,
Stoplamps, and Back-Up
Lamps (LTZ)
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.
The stoplamp/taillamp and trunkdeck inboard taillamp are LEDs. Toreplace, see your dealer.
Back-Up Lamp
1. Open the trunk. SeeTr u n k044.
2. Remove the push pins and pullback the trunk deck trim.
3. Remove the bulb socket byturning counterclockwise andpulling straight out.
4. Remove the bulb from thesocket.
5. Install the new bulb in the bulbsocket.
6. Install the bulb socket byturning clockwise.
7. Install the trunk deck trim.
License Plate Lamp
To r e p l a c e o n e o f t h e s e b u l b s :
Passenger Side Shown, Driver
Side Similar
1. Push the release tab towardthe lamp assembly.
2. Pull the lamp assembly downto remove.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
354 Vehicle Care
involved in the jump startprocedure. Put an automatictransmission in P (Park) or amanual transmission in Neutralbefore setting the parkingbrake.
3. Set the parking brake firmly onboth vehicles. Put an automatictransmission in P (Park) or amanual transmission in Neutralbefore setting the parkingbrake.
Caution
If any accessories are left on or
plugged in during the jump
starting procedure, they could be
damaged. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Whenever possible, turn
off or unplug all accessories on
either vehicle when jump starting.
4. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFFand switch off all lights andaccessories in both vehicles,except the hazard warningflashers if needed.
{Warning
An electric fan can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing, and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{Warning
Using a match near a battery can
cause battery gas to explode.
People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded.
Use a flashlight if you need more
light.
Battery fluid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
{Warning
Fans or other moving engine
parts can injure you badly. Keep
your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
6. Connect the red positive (+)cable to the positive (+) orremote positive (+) terminal ofthe discharged battery.
7. Connect the other end of thepositive (+) cable to thepositive (+) terminal of thegood battery. Use a remotepositive (+) terminal if thevehicle has one.
8. Connect one end of the blacknegative (✓)cabletothenegative (✓)terminalofthegood battery.
9. Connect the other end of thenegative (✓)cabletothenegative (–)groundterminalforthe discharged battery.