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Chevrolet Malibu: Problems & Solutions - READ ONLY

3823 messages,  Last post on Oct 12, 2006 at 3:31 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Malibu - Archived Discussions Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, Electrical, Engine, Sedan

Messages Page 260 of 383

#2585 of 3823 TERRIBLE gas mileage by tcb70

Oct 31, 2005 (8:58 am)

In March of this year, I traded my 2001 Chevy Malibu, 6 cylinder car for the 2005 Chevy Malibu 4 cylinder. Both deals were done at Dean Myers Chev Olds.
  
The 2001 had a 50 litre gas tank and I drove it approx 450 km with mix highway and city driving.
  
This 2005 with a 60 litre tank is empty at approx 325-375km.
When I bought it, the sticker on the window claimed:
City: 9.8ltrs/100km
Highway: 6.6ltrs/100 km
  
As well, the following website states I should be getting approx :
  
City: 24 miles per gallon
Highway: 34 miles per gallon
  
http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Spec_Glance.aspx?year=2005&make=Chevrolet&model=Malibu&t- rimid=-1&src=vip
  
I'm not getting anywhere near that.
 When I brought the car back in the first week, I was told that the car has to be worked in and it should improve after the first oil change. It has not improved.
  
I brought the car in last week and was told that their test showed nothing wrong with the car.
  
I asked them to check the brakes as well to see if they may be sticking since they were already squealing after only 8000km. The brakes are still squealing at stops.
  
The service technician said the stats in their promo ads were based on perfect temperatures and conditions and that the 4 cylinder works harder to carry the car and that is why I am burning so much fuel. The service guy actually said he wishes his car got that mileage.
  
My 6 cylinder Malibu, or even my Chevy Blazer and Ford explorer got better mileage than I'm getting with this 4 cylinder with 60 litre gas tank.
 
I'm waiting for a response from GM on the issue.

#2586 of 3823 Re: e2helper [e2helper] by gonogo

Oct 31, 2005 (10:05 am)

Replying to: e2helper (Oct 30, 2005 2:35 pm)
Build date 3-16-04.

#2587 of 3823 Re: TERRIBLE gas mileage [tcb70] by 7937

Oct 31, 2005 (2:04 pm)

Replying to: tcb70 (Oct 31, 2005 8:58 am)
My 2004 Malibu with the 4cyl. Ecotec engine gets 37mpg on the highway. The exhaust tip has not got a trace of carbon. It's as clean as the day I got my car. There is adequate power with the 4cyl. engine and the car is not underpowered. It might change down sooner than the 6cyl. while climbing hills but the mpg is still pretty good. Remember too that the all aluminum Ecotec engine is much lighter than the 6cyl. so the power to weight ratio is better.
 
I think you might have a problem with yours.

#2588 of 3823 Re: Hard Start complaint [gonogo] by e2helper

Oct 31, 2005 (3:08 pm)

Replying to: gonogo (Oct 31, 2005 10:05 am)
Then vehicle definitely had older calibration originally in it (changed in May 2004 for production). Do you know if your dealer ever "reflashed" the PCM with latest calibration?
 
Here is what GM Calibration Website says about latest version: "New calibration with diagnostic enhancements for DTC P0340. Also improvements for starting, idle quality, and shift stabilization affecting 3-4 upshift."

#2589 of 3823 wrt starting and glitches... by kurtamaxxguy

Oct 31, 2005 (7:15 pm)

My '04 Maxx (built during 01/04) will be difficult to start if I start it up when cold, drive it a short distance (1-3 miles), park/turn engine off, leave car for 15-20 minutes, and then try to restart. The vehicle starting then takes at least two tries and then runs very roughly for a short time.
It supposedly is up to date wrt PCM cals, etc.
 
Also, for first time, just after starting and when the auto headlights came on while car was parked, all the gauges went to the minumum values (fuel, temp, etc) for about 2 seconds and then came alive again.
Is there a fuse or connection I can check for possible corrosion or looseness?

#2590 of 3823 Re: TERRIBLE gas mileage [tcb70] by 7937

Nov 01, 2005 (3:19 am)

Replying to: tcb70 (Oct 31, 2005 8:58 am)
Another thought comes to mind. Is your overdrive and lockup kicking in? Check the tachometer and see if the rpm's are exactly 2000 at 60mph. That would confirm that the transmission is in overdrive.

#2591 of 3823 Re: Left turn signal fix [gschnee] by pao

Nov 01, 2005 (5:07 am)

Replying to: gschnee (Oct 28, 2005 3:10 pm)
I had the same problem on my 04 Maxx LT...had it replaced 6 months ago and seems to be fine now....49 K on mine and going strong

#2592 of 3823 Maxx Exhaust Noise by oldster1

Nov 01, 2005 (8:53 am)

My '05 Maxx makes a lot of popping and crinkling noise from the manifold thru the converter and tailpipe assembly when it is shut off and cooling down. This I can understand and accept. However mine makes the same noises when there is any change in sheet metal temp due to different operating conditions; such as when idling at a light, pulling a hill, coasting down a hill etc. Needless to say it is extremely annoying. Has anyone else had the problem and what was the fix?
Dealer ofcourse says this is normal---BS.

#2593 of 3823 Re: TERRIBLE gas mileage [tcb70] by redmaxx

Nov 01, 2005 (10:09 am)

Replying to: tcb70 (Oct 31, 2005 8:58 am)
tcb70 - How are you calculating your milage? Try this: run the car to "empty" and fill up. If there is a problem with the fuel sending unit, it may be going to empty sooner than you are actually out of gas. Now, with the full tank, drive until it is "empty" and fill up again. Then use that number of litres to calculate your economy, not the gas tank capacity. You should never use the capacity of the tank, since the car will still have about 1-2 gallons of gas when you hit empty. By always filling the tank to full, you can use the number of litres on the pump as an indication of how many litres you used.

#2594 of 3823 Re: Maxx Exhaust Noise [oldster1] by pao

Nov 01, 2005 (10:14 am)

Replying to: oldster1 (Nov 01, 2005 8:53 am)
when you say sheet metal ..what exactly are you referring too or are you still referring to the exhaust system...honestly never heard of this issue before...

Messages Page 260 of 383

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