Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
308 Service and Maintenance
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required
Services - Severe12 000 km/7,500 mi
24 000 km/15,000 mi
36 000 km/22,500 mi
48 000 km/30,000 mi
60 000 km/37,500 mi
72 000 km/45,000 mi
84 000 km/52,500 mi
96 000 km/60,000 mi
108 000 km/67,500 mi
120 000 km/75,000 mi
132 000 km/82,500 mi
144 000 km/90,000 mi
156 000 km/97,500 mi
168 000 km/105,000 mi 180 000 km/112,500 mi
192 000 km/120,000 mi
204 000 km/127,500 mi
216 000 km/135,000 mi
228 000 km/142,500 mi
240 000 km/150,000 mi
Rotate tires and perform Required Services.
Check engine oil level and oil life percentage.
Change engine oil and filter, if needed. Check
engine air filter life percentage and status.
Change engine air filter, if needed.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Replace passenger compartment air filter. (1)@ @@@@@
Inspect evaporative control system. (2)@ @@
If the vehicle is not equipped with the engine air
filter life system, replace engine air cleaner
filter. (3)@@@
Change automatic transmission fluid. (Except
1.5L engine.)@@@
Change automatic transmission fluid and filter.
(1.5L engine only.)@@@
Replace spark plugs. Inspect spark plug wires
and/or boots.@ @
Drain and fill engine cooling system and Power
Electronics cooling system. (4)@
Visually inspect accessory drive belts. (5)@
Replace brake fluid. (6)
Replace windshield wiper blades. (7)
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Replace hood and/or body lift support gas
struts. (8)@ @
Replace air conditioning desiccant. (9)
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
Service and Maintenance 309
Footnotes—Maintenance
Schedule Additional Required
Services - Severe
(1) Or every two years, whichever
comes first. More frequent
passenger compartment air filter
replacement may be needed if
driving in areas with heavy traffic,
poor air quality, high dust levels,
or environmental allergens.
Passenger compartment air filter
replacement may also be needed if
there is reduced airflow, window
fogging, or odors. Your GM dealer
can help determine when to replace
the filter.
(2) Visually check all fuel and vapor
lines and hoses for proper
attachment, connection, routing, and
condition.
(3) Or every four years, whichever
comes first. If driving in dusty
conditions, inspect the filter at each
oil change or more often as needed.
See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0223.
(4) Or every five years, whichever
comes first. See Cooling System
0 225. (5)
Or every 10 years, whichever
comes first. Inspect for fraying,
excessive cracking, or damage;
replace, if needed.
(6) Replace brake fluid every five
years. See Brake Fluid 0231.
(7) Or every 12 months, whichever
comes first. See Wiper Blade
Replacement 0235.
(8) Or every 10 years, whichever
comes first. See Gas Strut(s)0236.
(9) Replace air conditioning
desiccant every seven years.Special Application
Services
. Severe Commercial Use
Vehicles Only: Lubricate chassis
components every oil change.
. Have underbody flushing service
performed. See "Underbody
Maintenance" in Exterior Care
0 292.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
310 Service and Maintenance
Additional
Maintenance and Care
Your vehicle is an important
investment and caring for it properly
may help to avoid future costly
repairs. To maintain vehicle
performance, additional
maintenance services may be
required.
It is recommended that your dealer
perform these services—their
trained dealer technicians know
your vehicle best. Your dealer can
also perform a thorough
assessment with a multi-point
inspection to recommend when your
vehicle may need attention.
The following list is intended to
explain the services and conditions
to look for that may indicate
services are required.
Battery
The 12-volt battery supplies power
to start the engine and operate any
additional electrical accessories. .
To avoid break-down or failure to
start the vehicle, maintain a
battery with full cranking power.
. Trained dealer technicians have
the diagnostic equipment to test
the battery and ensure that the
connections and cables are
corrosion-free.
Belts
. Belts may need replacing if they
squeak or show signs of
cracking or splitting.
. Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the belts and
recommend adjustment or
replacement when necessary.
Brakes
Brakes stop the vehicle and are
crucial to safe driving.
. Signs of brake wear may include
chirping, grinding, or squealing
noises, or difficulty stopping. .
Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the brakes and
recommend quality parts
engineered for the vehicle.
Fluids
Proper fluid levels and approved
fluids protect the vehicle’s systems
and components. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0313 for GM approved
fluids.
. Engine oil and windshield
washer fluid levels should be
checked at every fuel fill.
. Instrument cluster lights may
come on to indicate that fluids
may be low and need to be
filled.
Hoses
Hoses transport fluids and should
be regularly inspected to ensure
that there are no cracks or leaks.
With a multi-point inspection, your
dealer can inspect the hoses and
advise if replacement is needed.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
Service and Maintenance 313
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
UsageFluid/Lubricant
Automatic Transmission (2.0L Engine) DEXRON-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Automatic Transmission (1.5L Engine) Continuously Variable Ratio Transmission (CVT) Fluid. (GM Part No. 19355873, in Canada 19355874).
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL Coolant.
Engine Oil Engine oil meeting the dexos1 specification of the proper SAE viscosity
grade. ACDelco dexos1 full synthetic is recommended. See Engine Oil
0 219.
Hood Latch Assembly, Secondary Latch, Pivots, Spring Anchor, and Release Pawl Lubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM Part No. 89021668, in
Canada 89021674) or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2 Category
LB or GC-LB.
Hydraulic Brake System DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid (GM Part No. 19353126, in Canada 19353127).
Key Lock Cylinders, Hood and Door Hinges Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Weatherstrip Conditioning Weatherstrip Lubricant (GM Part No. 3634770, in Canada 10953518) or equivalent.
Windshield Washer Automotive windshield washer fluid that meets regional freeze protection requirements.
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
Index 347
Assistance Program,Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Assistance Systems for Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Assistance Systems for Parking and Backing . . . . . . . . . . 183
Auto Stop
Stop/Start System . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Emergency Braking (AEB) . . . . 190
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Automatic Transmission Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
B
BatteryExterior Lighting BatterySaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Battery - North America . . . . 232, 286
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . . . 235 Brake
Parking, Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
System Warning Light . . . . . . . . 106
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230 Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 AutomaticEmergency (AEB) . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Braking System Front Pedestrian (FPB) . . . . . . . 191
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 155
Bulb Replacement Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Headlamps, Front Turn
Signal, Sidemarker, and
Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . . . 240
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps, and
Back-up Lamps . . . . . . . . 239, 240
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
California Proposition
65 Warning . . . . . . . . . .213, 232, 286, Back Cover
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . 2
Capacities and
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Carbon Monoxide Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Cargo Tie-Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Caution, Danger, and Warning . . . . 2
Center Console Storage . . . . . . . . . 86
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Charging
Wireless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . 104
Check
Engine Light (MalfunctionIndicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Index 349
DrivingAssistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 188
Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . 144
Characteristics and
Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 149
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 151
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Dual Automatic Climate Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
E
Electric Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . 168
Electric Parking Brake Light . . . . 106
Electrical Equipment,
Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Electrical System Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 242
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 Electrical System (cont'd)
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Emergency OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Check Light (MalfunctionIndicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 216
Coolant Temperature
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 163
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Engine Air Filter Life System . . . . 223
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 332
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 125
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . 127
Exterior Lighting Battery
Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
F
Filter,Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 128
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 222
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Front Pedestrian Braking (FPB) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
Index 353
ParkingBrake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 235
Extended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . 162
Parking or Backing
Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . 183
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Passenger Compartment Air
Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . 59
Pedestrian Ahead Indicator . . . . . 108
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California . . . . . . 213
Personalization Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Power Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . 160
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . . . . 51 Privacy
Vehicle Data Recording . . . . . . . 331
Program Courtesy Transportation . . . . . . 326
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Proposition 65 Warning,
California . . . . . . . . . . . .213, 232, 286,
Back Cover
Publication Ordering Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
R
Radio Frequency Statement . . . . 329
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Rear Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . 183
Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Automatic Dimming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198, 199
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Records Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315 Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . 289
Reimbursement Program,
GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Replacement Parts Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . . . 65
Replacing LATCH System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Replacing Seat Belt System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government . . . . . . . . 331
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Restraints Where to Put . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Reverse Tilt Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Roads Driving, Wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Chevrolet Malibu Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
13555849) - 2020 - CRC - 8/16/19
356 Index
Transportation Program,Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Turn Signal
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . 239, 240
U
Umbrella Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . 268
Using This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
V
VehicleAlarm System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Canadian Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Identification Number (VIN) . . . 316
Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Personalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Remote Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Speed Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . . 108 Vehicle Care
Storing the Tire Sealant
and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . 279
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
Ventilation, Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Voltage Devices and Wiring . . . . 241
W
Warning
Brake System Light . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Caution and Danger . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Warnings
Hazard Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Wheels Alignment and Tire Balance . . 270
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Where to Put the Restraint . . . . . . 71
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Windshield
Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . 235
Wireless Charging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Wiring, High Voltage Devices . . . 241