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Vehicle Care 233
When It Is Time for New
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Different Size Tires and
Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 296
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Storing the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 311
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North
America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Recreational Vehicle
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326General Information
For service and parts needs, visit
your dealer. You will receive
genuine GM parts and GM-trained
and supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks:
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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234 Vehicle Care
California Proposition
65 Warning
{Warning
Most motor vehicles, including
this one, as well as many of its
service parts and fluids, contain
and/or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and
systems, many fluids, and some
component wear by-products
contain and/or emit these
chemicals. For more information
go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
SeeBattery - North America0257
and
Jump Starting - North America
0312and the back cover.
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, seat belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
Remote Keyless Entry transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Accessories and
Modifications
Adding non-dealer accessories or
making modifications to the vehicle
can affect vehicle performance and
safety, including such things as
airbags, braking, stability, ride and
handling, emissions systems,
aerodynamics, durability, and
electronic systems like antilock
brakes, traction control, and stability
control. These accessories or
modifications could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by the vehicle warranty.Damage to suspension components
caused by modifying vehicle height
outside of factory settings will not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Damage to vehicle components
resulting from modifications or the
installation or use of non-GM
certified parts, including control
module or software modifications, is
not covered under the terms of the
vehicle warranty and may affect
remaining warranty coverage for
affected parts.
GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on the vehicle. See your
dealer to accessorize the vehicle
using genuine GM Accessories
installed by a dealer technician.
Also, seeAdding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle085.
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Vehicle Care 235
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own
Service Work
{Warning
It can be dangerous to work on
your vehicle if you do not have
the proper knowledge, service
manual, tools, or parts. Always
follow owner’s manual procedures
and consult the service manual
for your vehicle before doing any
service work.
If doing some of your own service
work, use the proper service
manual. It tells you much more
about how to service the vehicle
than this manual can. To order the
proper service manual, see
Publication Ordering Information
0355.
This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your own
service work, seeServicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle084.If equipped with remote vehicle
start, open the hood before
performing any service work to
prevent remote starting the vehicle
accidentally. SeeRemote Vehicle
Start037.
Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of
any service work performed. See
Maintenance Records0341.
Caution
Even small amounts of
contamination can cause damage
to vehicle systems. Do not allow
contaminants to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Hood
To open the hood:
1. Pull the hood release handle
with this symbol on it. It is
inside the vehicle to the left of
the steering column.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle to
find the secondary release
handle. The handle is under
the front edge of the hood near
the center. Slide the secondary
hood release handle toward
the driver side of the vehicle.
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236 Vehicle Care
3. Lift the hood and pull the prop
rod by the sleeve from the
retainer, located above the
radiator.
4. Securely place the hood prop
rod into the slot on the
underside of the hood.
To close the hood:
1. Before closing the hood, be
sure all the filler caps are on
properly. Then, lift the hood to
relieve pressure on the hood
prop rod. Remove the hood
prop rod by the sleeve from the
retainer slot on the underside
of the hood and return the
hood prop rod to its retainer
above the radiator. The hood
prop rod must click into place
when returning it to the retainer
to prevent hood damage.
2. Lower the hood 20 cm (8 in)
above the vehicle and release
it so it fully latches. Check to
make sure the hood is closed
and repeat the process if
necessary.
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Vehicle Care 237
Engine Compartment Overview
1.5L L4 Turbo Engine
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238 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.
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Vehicle Care 239
1.8L L4 Hybrid Engine
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Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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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.