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Chevrolet Malibu Routine Care & Maintenance

65 messages,  Last post on Jul 07, 2008 at 7:14 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Malibu Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet Malibu SS, Engine, Oil, Sedan


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#39 of 65
sport red paint by gonogo
Aug 11, 2007 (9:05 am)
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Has anyone found sport red touch up for the 04 Malibu. Looked every where and none to be found.
#40 of 65
Re: When is time to change transmission fluid? [ktc] by gonogo
Aug 11, 2007 (9:12 am)
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Replying to: ktc (Aug 06, 2007 1:59 pm)

Seeing that E2 is not around I will give my opinion.
 I just did my 04 Malibu at 30K, just before warranty expired. It will take 7.5 qts for pan drop and filter change.
I am not aware of GM using long life fluid in the Malibu or Maxx, cost too much.
#41 of 65
Re: When is time to change transmission fluid? [gonogo] by pao
Aug 13, 2007 (6:40 am)
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Replying to: gonogo (Aug 11, 2007 9:12 am)

just a dumb question, how did you add the fluid back in and check it....assume through the drain hole since it is a sealed system...
 
I had my local mechanic due the same thing..pan drop and filter replace...and he only replaced 4 quarts....your 7.5 replacement now has me concerned Im running it with low trans fluid......
#42 of 65
Re: When is time to change transmission fluid? [pao] by gonogo
Aug 13, 2007 (8:21 am)
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Replying to: pao (Aug 13, 2007 6:40 am)

Here is the procedure I have on a word pad, I see this ? asked a lot. I start with 7.5 Quarts, a small amount will drain out when plug is removed to check. A pan drop and filter change with 4 qts added back is at least 3 qts low. Where you put fluid in is the plastic red cap on top of the transmission. Put the check plug in when it starts to dribble.
 
 IMPORTANT... On the 4T45E in the Malibu and Maxx the fill cap needs to be off to check fluid level, the cap is not the same as the older 4T45E units.
 
Fluid check procedure
 
Start the engine and allow the engine to idle until the transmission fluid temperature has reached the value specified. Depress the brake pedal and move the shift lever through the gear ranges, pausing a few seconds in each range. Return the shift lever to the PARK range. Raise the vehicle on a hoist. The vehicle must be level, with the engine running and the shift lever in the PARK range. Caution The engine must be running when the transmission fluid fill plug is removed, or excessive fluid loss will occur. Transmission fluid may be hot. Since the actual fluid level is unknown, stand clear when removing the fill plug. Have a container ready to capture any lost fluid. Do not turn the engine off with the fill plug removed, as you can be injured by hot transmission fluid being expelled out of the oil fill opening.
Remove the transmission plug.
 
The transmission fluid may darken with normal use and does not always indicate contamination or oxidation.
Transmission fluid (At least 104°F) 5-10 minutes at idle will give correct temp.
 
Does the fluid have a burnt odor or a dark brown color?Check the fluid level. The fluid level should be even with the bottom of the threaded plug hole.Is the fluid level low?
Add DEXRONŽ III automatic transmission fluid in increments of 0.5L until the fluid drains from the plug hole.
Install plug before stopping engine or fluid will spill out of plug hole.
  
Pan drop and filter change 7.5 qts
Check plug is just to the right of the passenger side axle housing , 11 mm plug, can't miss it, only one there.
 Hoist is optional, just needs to be level and plug accessible.
#43 of 65
Re: When is time to change transmission fluid? [gonogo] by pat HOST
Aug 13, 2007 (8:29 am)
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Replying to: gonogo (Aug 13, 2007 8:21 am)

Great write-up! You might consider adding it to our CarSpace Guides section where it will benefit many folks now and in the future.
#44 of 65
Re: When is time to change transmission fluid? [pat] by gonogo
Aug 14, 2007 (8:01 am)
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Replying to: pat (Aug 13, 2007 8:29 am)

You can do it if you want.
#45 of 65
comprehensive maintenance by micky
Sep 26, 2007 (1:40 pm)
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I have driven my Malibu 2006 15,000 miles. I did change the oil each 3000 miles/3 months. Do I need to put my car in dealer for comprehensive maintenance?
#46 of 65
Re: comprehensive maintenance [micky] by pao
Sep 27, 2007 (5:06 am)
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Replying to: micky (Sep 26, 2007 1:40 pm)

look at what the scheduled maintenance schedule is in the owners manual....most are simply oil changes and inspections at regular intervals..the first major maintenance isnt until 100K......nothing but oil and filter changes on my 04 Maxx.....and 104k on it now.....
#47 of 65
Re: comprehensive maintenance [pao] by chuckr1
Oct 25, 2007 (7:15 pm)
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Replying to: pao (Sep 27, 2007 5:06 am)

Wow, did the build quality on the Malibu go up? I had a 2000 Malibu but got rid of it in 2005 because it was falling apart. Around 110,000 miles the head gasket went. It took the dealer three attempts to fix it properly. I also had to replace a front strut and muffler. When I sold the car and bought my 2005 camry I was aware it needed one new spring and the other front strut.
 
So far comparing two years of owning the camry to the malibu, i've had 1 warranty claim on the camry vs 3 on the malibu and the malibu had a brake change in at 29,000 miles and the camry's brakes are still at 75%
#48 of 65
Re: comprehensive maintenance [chuckr1] by pao
Oct 26, 2007 (4:12 am)
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Replying to: chuckr1 (Oct 25, 2007 7:15 pm)

you cant compare the 03 and before malibus with the 04 and beyond....different chassis..and major components...different engine etc i do beleive......but as mentioned...no problems at all with my 04..and getting ready to roll over 109K....still going strong....32 MPG on my last road trip the past weekend VA to SC and return....
 
first brake change at 64K..and about due for another one now...other than than...100k service....fluids, belts, plugs, wires, tires, battery, oil and wipers is all I had to do to mine....

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