Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 6/1/16
In Brief 29
E85 or FlexFuel
No E85 or FlexFuel
Gasoline-ethanol fuel blends greaterthan E15 (15% ethanol by volume),such as E85, cannot be used in thisvehicle.
Engine Oil Life System
The engine oil life system calculatesengine oil life based on vehicle useand displays the CHANGE ENGINEOIL SOON message when it is timeto change the engine oil and filter.The oil life system should be resetto 100% only following an oilchange.
Resetting the Oil Life System
1. Using the DIC controls on theright side of the steering wheel,display REMAINING OIL LIFEon the DIC. SeeDriverInformation Center (DIC) (BaseLevel)0131orDriverInformation Center (DIC)(Uplevel)0134.Whenremaining oil life is low, theCHANGE ENGINE OIL SOONmessage will appear on thedisplay. SeeEngine OilMessages0141.
2. PressVon the DIC controls
and hold down for a fewseconds to clear the CHANGEENGINE OIL SOON messageand reset the oil life at 100%.
Be careful not to reset the oillife display accidentally at anytime other than after the oil ischanged. It cannot be resetaccurately until the next oilchange.
The system is reset when theCHANGE ENGINE OIL SOONmessage is off and the REMAININGOIL LIFE 100% message isdisplayed.
SeeEngine Oil Life System0291.
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuelmileage. Here are some driving tipsto get the best fuel economypossible.
.Avoid fast starts and acceleratesmoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoidabrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for longperiods of time.
.When road and weatherconditions are appropriate, usecruise control.
.Always follow posted speedlimits or drive more slowly whenconditions require.
.Keep vehicle tires properlyinflated.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
278 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 279California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279California PerchlorateMaterials Requirements . . . . . 279Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281Engine CompartmentOverview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 291Automatic TransmissionFluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 292Cooling System (Engine) . . . . . 293Cooling System (PowerElectronics) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 297Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Battery - North America . . . . . . 301Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 303Automatic Transmission ShiftLock Control FunctionCheck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303Park Brake and P (Park)Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 303Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 304
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 305Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305LED Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305Headlamps, Front Turn Signal,Sidemarker, and ParkingLamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305Ta i l l a m p s , T u r n S i g n a l ,Stoplamps, and Back-UpLamps (LS and LT) . . . . . . . . . . 307Ta i l l a m p s , T u r n S i g n a l ,Stoplamps, and Back-UpLamps (LTZ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 308Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Electrical System
High Voltage Devices andWiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309Electrical System Overload . . . 310
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311Instrument Panel FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318Low-Profile Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 319Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 320Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325Tire Pressure for High-SpeedOperation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326Tire Pressure MonitorSystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327Tire Pressure MonitorOperation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331When It Is Time for NewTires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333Different Size Tires andWheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
284 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter0292.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. SeeEngine Oil0288.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. SeeEngine Oil0288.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out ofView). SeeCooling System(Engine)0293orCoolingSystem (PowerElectronics)0294.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. SeeBrakes0299.
6. Coolant Surge Tank andPressure Cap. SeeEngineCoolant0295.
7.Battery - North America0301.
8. Remote Positive (+) BatteryTe r m i n a l ( U n d e r C o v e r ) . S e eJump Starting - NorthAmerica0352.
9.Engine Compartment FuseBlock0311.
10. Windshield Washer FluidReservoir. SeeWasherFluid0299.
11 . R e m o t e N e g a t i v e ( - ) B a t t e r yTe r m i n a l . S e eJump Starting -North America0352.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
286 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter0292.
2. Engine Cooling Fan (Out ofView). SeeCooling System(Engine)0293orCoolingSystem (PowerElectronics)0294.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. SeeEngine Oil0288.
4. Engine Oil Fill Cap. SeeEngine Oil0288.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. SeeBrakes0299.
6. Automatic Transmission FluidFill Cap. SeeAutomaticTr a n s m i s s i o n F l u i d0292.
7. Coolant Surge Tank andPressure Cap. SeeEngineCoolant0295.
8. Remote Positive (+) BatteryTe r m i n a l ( U n d e r C o v e r ) . S e eJump Starting - NorthAmerica0352.
9. Power Electronics CoolantReservoir. SeeCooling System(Engine)0293orCoolingSystem (PowerElectronics)0294.
10.Engine Compartment FuseBlock0311.
11 . W i n d s h i e l d Wa s h e r F l u i dReservoir. SeeWasherFluid0299.
12. Remote Negative (-) BatteryTe r m i n a l . S e eJump Starting -North America0352.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
288 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter0292.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. SeeEngine Oil0288.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. SeeEngine Oil0288.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out ofView). SeeCooling System(Engine)0293orCoolingSystem (PowerElectronics)0294.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. SeeBrakes0299.
6. Coolant Surge Tank andPressure Cap. SeeEngineCoolant0295.
7.Battery - North America0301.
8. Remote Positive (+) BatteryTe r m i n a l ( U n d e r C o v e r ) . S e eJump Starting - NorthAmerica0352.
9.Engine Compartment FuseBlock0311.
10. Windshield Washer FluidReservoir. SeeWasherFluid0299.
11 . R e m o t e N e g a t i v e ( - ) B a t t e r yTe r m i n a l . S e eJump Starting -North America0352.
Engine Oil
To e n s u r e p r o p e r e n g i n eperformance and long life, carefulattention must be paid to engine oil.Following these simple, butimportant steps will help protectyour investment:
.Use engine oil approved to theproper specification and of theproper viscosity grade. See“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”in this section.
.Check the engine oil levelregularly and maintain theproper oil level. See“CheckingEngine Oil”and“When to AddEngine Oil”in this section.
.Change the engine oil at theappropriate time. SeeEngine OilLife System0291.
.Always dispose of engine oilproperly. See“What to Do withUsed Oil”later in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly(every 650 km (400 mi), especiallyprior to a long trip. The engine oildipstick handle is a loop. SeeEngine Compartment Overview0283for the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center(DIC) message displays, check theoil level.
Follow these guidelines:
.To g e t a n a c c u r a t e r e a d i n g , p a r kthe vehicle on level ground.Check the engine oil level afterthe engine has been off for atleast two hours. Checking theengine oil level on steep gradesor too soon after engine shutoffcan result in incorrect readings.Accuracy improves when
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
290 Vehicle Care
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oildepends on both the proper oilspecification and viscosity grade.SeeRecommended Fluids andLubricants0377.
Specification
Ask for and use engine oils thatmeet the dexos1™specification.Engine oils that have beenapproved by GM as meeting thedexos1 specification are markedwith the dexos1 approved logo. Seewww.gmdexos.com.
Caution
Failure to use the recommended
engine oil or equivalent can result
in engine damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Viscosity Grade
Use SAE 5W-20 viscosity gradeengine oil for the 1.8L L4 Hybrid.SAE 0W-20 may be used as analternative.
Use SAE 5W-30 viscosity gradeengine oil for all engines except the1.8L L4 Hybrid.
Cold Temperature Operation: In anarea of extreme cold, where thetemperature falls below✓29 °C(✓20 °F), an SAE 0W-30 oil may beused. An oil of this viscosity gradewill provide easier cold starting forthe engine at extremely lowtemperatures. When selecting an oilof the appropriate viscosity grade, itis recommended to select an oil ofthe correct specification. See“Specification”earlier in this section.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. Therecommended oils meeting thedexos1 specification are all that isneeded for good performance andengine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are notrecommended and could causeengine damage not covered by thevehicle warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certainelements that can be unhealthy foryour skin and could even causecancer. Do not let used oil stay onyour skin for very long. Clean yourskin and nails with soap and water,or a good hand cleaner. Wash orproperly dispose of clothing or ragscontaining used engine oil. See themanufacturer's warnings about theuse and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to theenvironment. If you change yourown oil, be sure to drain all the oilfrom the filter before disposal. Neverdispose of oil by putting it in thetrash or pouring it on the ground,into sewers, or into streams orbodies of water. Recycle it by takingit to a place that collects used oil.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Vehicle Care 291
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer systemthat indicates when to change theengine oil and filter. This is basedon a combination of factors whichinclude engine revolutions, enginetemperature, and miles driven.Based on driving conditions, themileage at which an oil change isindicated can vary considerably. Forthe oil life system to work properly,the system must be reset every timethe oil is changed.
When the system has calculatedthat oil life has been diminished, itindicates that an oil change isnecessary. A CHANGE ENGINEOIL SOON message comes on. SeeEngine Oil Messages0141.Change the oil as soon as possiblewithin the next 1 000 km (600 mi).It is possible that, if driving underthe best conditions, the oil lifesystem might indicate that an oilchange is not necessary for up to ayear. The engine oil and filter mustbe changed at least once a yearand, at this time, the system must
be reset. Your dealer has trainedservice people who will perform thiswork and reset the system. It is alsoimportant to check the oil regularlyover the course of an oil draininterval and keep it at the properlevel.
If the system is ever resetaccidentally, the oil must bechanged at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)since the last oil change.Remember to reset the oil lifesystem whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
1. Using the DIC controls on theright side of the steering wheel,display REMAINING OIL LIFEon the DIC. SeeDriverInformation Center (DIC) (BaseLevel)0131orDriverInformation Center (DIC)(Uplevel)0134.Whenremaining oil life is low, theCHANGE ENGINE OIL SOONmessage will appear on thedisplay. SeeEngine OilMessages0141.
2. PressVon the DIC controls
and hold down for a fewseconds to clear the CHANGEENGINE OIL SOON messageand reset the oil life at 100%.
Be careful not to reset the oillife display accidentally at anytime other than after the oil ischanged. It cannot be resetaccurately until the next oilchange.
The system is reset when theCHANGE ENGINE OIL SOONmessage is off and the REMAININGOIL LIFE message is displayed.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOONmessage comes back on when thevehicle is started, the engine oil lifesystem has not been reset. Repeatthe procedure.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-10122664) - 2017 - crc - 5/23/16
Service and Maintenance 369
frequent checks and services. TheAdditional Required Services -Normal are for vehicles that:
.Carry passengers and cargowithin recommended limits onthe Tire and Loading Informationlabel. SeeVehicle LoadLimits0222.
.Are driven on reasonable roadsurfaces within legal drivinglimits.
.Use the recommended fuel. SeeFuel0268.
Refer to the information in theMaintenance Schedule AdditionalRequired Services - Normal chart.
The Additional Required Services -Severe are for vehicles that are:
.Mainly driven in heavy city trafficin hot weather.
.Mainly driven in hilly ormountainous terrain.
.Frequently towing a trailer.
.Used for high speed orcompetitive driving.
.Used for taxi, police, or deliveryservice.
Refer to the information in theMaintenance Schedule AdditionalRequired Services - Severe chart.
{Warning
Performing maintenance work can
be dangerous and can cause
serious injury. Perform
maintenance work only if the
required information, proper tools,
and equipment are available.
If they are not, see your dealer to
have a trained technician do the
work. SeeDoing Your Own
Service Work0280.
Maintenance
Schedule
Owner Checks and Services
At Each Fuel Stop
.Check the engine oil level. SeeEngine Oil0288.
Once a Month
.Check the tire inflationpressures. SeeTirePressure0325.
.Inspect the tires for wear. SeeTire Inspection0331.
.Check the windshield washerfluid level. SeeWasherFluid0299.
Engine Oil Change
When the CHANGE ENGINE OILSOON message displays, have theengine oil and filter changed withinthe next 1 000 km/600 mi. If drivenunder the best conditions, theengine oil life system may notindicate the need for vehicle servicefor up to a year. The engine oil andfilter must be changed at least once