2019 CHEVROLET MALIBU eco

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
240 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter0247.
2. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of
View). SeeCooling System
(Power Electronics)0253or
Cooling System (Engine)
0248.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
Engine Oil0242.
4. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See
Engine Oil0242.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
Brakes0255.
6. Automatic Transmission Fluid
Fill Cap. SeeAutomatic
Transmission Fluid0246.
7. Coolant Surge Tank and
Pressure Cap. SeeCooling
System (Power Electronics)
0253or
Cooling System (Engine)
0248.
8. Remote Positive (+) Battery
Terminal (Under Cover). See
Jump Starting - North America
0312.9. Power Electronics Coolant
Reservoir. SeeCooling System
(Power Electronics)0253or
Cooling System (Engine)
0248.
10.Engine Compartment Fuse
Block0268.
11. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir. SeeWasher Fluid
0254.
12. Remote Negative (-) Battery
Terminal. SeeJump Starting -
North America0312.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
242 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter0247.
2. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See
Engine Oil0242.
3. Engine Oil Dipstick. See
Engine Oil0242.
4. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of
View). SeeCooling System
(Power Electronics)0253or
Cooling System (Engine)
0248.
5. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
Brakes0255.
6. Coolant Surge Tank and
Pressure Cap. SeeCooling
System (Power Electronics)
0253or
Cooling System (Engine)
0248.
7.Battery - North America0257.
8. Remote Positive (+) Battery
Terminal (Under Cover). See
Jump Starting - North America
0312.
9.Engine Compartment Fuse
Block0268.10. Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir. SeeWasher Fluid
0254.
11. Remote Negative (-) Battery
Terminal. SeeJump Starting -
North America0312.
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. SeeEngine Oil
Life System0245..
Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See“What to Do with
Used Oil”later in this section.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly,
every 650 km (400 mi), especially
prior to a long trip. The engine oil
dipstick handle is a loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0237for 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 the
oil level.
Follow these guidelines:
.
To get an accurate reading, park
the vehicle on level ground.
Check the engine oil level after
the engine has been off for at
least two hours. Checking the

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
Vehicle Care 243
engine oil level on steep grades
or too soon after engine shutoff
can result in incorrect readings.
Accuracy improves when
checking a cold engine prior to
starting. Remove the dipstick
and check the level.
.
If unable to wait two hours, the
engine must be off for at least
15 minutes if the engine is
warm, or at least 30 minutes if
the engine is not warm. Pull out
the dipstick, wipe it with a clean
paper towel or cloth, then push it
back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and
check the level.When to Add Engine Oil
1.5L L4 Turbo Engine
1.8L L4 Hybrid Engine
2.0L L4 Turbo Engine
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick and
the engine has been off for at least
15 minutes, add 1 L (1 qt) of the
recommended oil and then recheck
the level. See“Selecting the Right
Engine Oil”later in this section for
an explanation of what kind of oil to
use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, seeCapacities and
Specifications0343.
Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil
levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If you find that you
have an oil level above the
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
244 Vehicle Care
Caution (Continued)
operating range, i.e., the engine
has so much oil that the oil level
gets above the upper mark that
shows the proper operating
range, the engine could be
damaged. You should drain out
the excess oil or limit driving of
the vehicle and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess amount of oil.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
0237for the location of the engine
oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when through.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil
depends on both the proper oil
specification and viscosity grade.
SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants0338.Specification
Use full synthetic engine oils that
meet the dexos1 specification.
Engine oils that have been
approved by GM as meeting the
dexos1 specification are marked
with the dexos1 approved logo. See
www.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 0W-20 viscosity grade
engine oil for the LFV 1.5L L4 turbo
engine.Use SAE 5W-20 viscosity grade
engine oil for the LKN 1.8L L4
Hybrid. SAE 0W-20 may be used as
an alternative.
Use SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade
engine oil for the LTG 2.0L L4 turbo
engine. Cold Temperature
Operation: In an area of extreme
cold, where the temperature falls
below−29 °C (−20 °F), an SAE
0W-30 oil may be used. An oil of
this viscosity grade will provide
easier cold starting for the engine at
extremely low temperatures.
When selecting an oil of the
appropriate viscosity grade, it is
recommended to select an oil of the
correct specification. See
“Specification”earlier in this section.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils meeting the
dexos1 specification are all that is
needed for good performance and
engine protection.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
Vehicle Care 245
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the filter before disposal. Never
dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash or pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished, it
indicates that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE
OIL SOON message displays.
Change the oil as soon as possible
within the next 1 000 km (600 mi).
It is possible that, if driving under
the best conditions, the oil life
system may indicate that an oil
change is not necessary for up to a
year. The engine oil and filter must
be changed at least once a year
and, at this time, the system mustbe reset. Your dealer has trained
service people who will perform this
work and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
over the course of an oil drain
interval and keep it at the proper
level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
1. Using the DIC controls on the
right side of the steering wheel,
display REMAINING OIL LIFE
on the DIC. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) (Base
Level)0134or
Driver Information Center (DIC)
(Uplevel)0137. When
remaining oil life is low, the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message will appear on the
display.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
246 Vehicle Care
2. PressVon the DIC controls
and hold down for a few
seconds to clear the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message
and reset the oil life at 100%.
Be careful not to reset the oil
life display accidentally at any
time other than after the oil is
changed. It cannot be reset
accurately until the next oil
change.
The system is reset when the
CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message is off and the REMAINING
OIL LIFE message is displayed.
If the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
message comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not been reset. Repeat
the procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leakoccurs, take the vehicle to your
dealer and have it repaired as soon
as possible.
Caution
Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission fluid may damage
the vehicle, and the damage may
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always use the correct
automatic transmission fluid. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants0338.
Change the fluid at the intervals
listed inMaintenance Schedule
0329, and be sure to use the fluid
listed inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants0338.
Engine Air Filter Life
System
When to Change Engine Air
Filter
If equipped, this feature provides an
indication of when to change the
engine air filter. It is based on
driving conditions, which can cause
when to change to vary greatly. It is
possible an air filter change may not
be indicated for up to four years.
When the "Replace at Next Oil
Change" message displays, the
engine air filter should be replaced
at the time of the next engine oil
change. When the "Replace Engine
Air Filter Now" message displays,
the engine air filter should be
replaced as soon as possible. Reset
the engine air filter life system after
the engine air filter is replaced. See
your dealer for service and to reset
the system.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
Vehicle Care 249
1.5L L4 Turbo Engine
1.8L L4 Hybrid Engine
2.0L L4 Turbo Engine
1. Engine Cooling Fan (Out
of View)
2. Coolant Surge Tank and
Pressure Cap
{Warning
An underhood electric fan 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
Do not touch heater or radiator
hoses, or other engine parts.
They can be very hot and can
burn you. Do not run the engine if
there is a leak; all coolant could
leak out. That could cause an
engine fire and can burn you. Fix
any leak before driving the
vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL engine
coolant mixture. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants0338and
Maintenance Schedule0329.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
seeEngine Overheating0253.

Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
12461813) - 2019 - crc - 12/11/18
Vehicle Care 257
When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light0126.
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 Schedule0329.
What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 3
brake fluid from a clean, sealed
container. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants0338.
{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. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview0237.
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 properknowledge 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.
{Warning
Damage to the high voltage
battery or high voltage system
can create a risk of electric shock,
overheating, or fire.
If the vehicle is damaged from a
moderate to severe crash, flood,
fire, or other event, the vehicle
should be inspected as soon as
possible. Until the vehicle has
been inspected, store it outside at
least 15 m (50 ft) from any
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