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Chevrolet Malibu Maxx General Care and Maintenance
medinamalibu
Member Posts: 71
Wow, what a difference a lube/oil/filter makes! The steering had gotten a little heavy and chunky over the course of 5 months/1400 miles, but it's light and smooth once again. I took my Maxx into the dealer last week after the gauges died! Seriously, I started the car, and the tach, fuel, and engine temp were flat at the bottom. I started driving, and the speedometer didn't move. A 3-mile commute didn't budge the odometer. That was really fun. I took it in (after the gauges came back to life, of course) and the service guys couldn't find any trouble codes stored, or any bulletins from GM about this type of problem. Which means I have a very special car. However, there were updates available for the BCM and PCM, so they installed those, maybe it'll help. The symptoms have not recurred, but I'm feeling that the warranty was a very wise purchase. I still love the ride, though.
P.S. Kurt -- no clue on the suspension travel.
P.S. Kurt -- no clue on the suspension travel.
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GM V-6's are extremely easy on oil. I change with 10-20% left on the OCM and I've never done less than 6 thousand miles on a change. What kind of driving are you doing anyway?
BTW-That computer is very sophisticated and can be trusted when it comes to oil change warnings.
Here's a quote from:
http://www.gm.com/automotive/vehicle_shopping/suv_facts/300_env_emissions/6_oil_- life_system.html
"Use of the GMOLS will often double or even triple the oil change interval for a typical vehicle when compared to the commonly recommended 3,000-mile oil change.
The GMOLS will automatically adjust the oil change interval based on engine characteristics, driving habits and the climate in which the vehicle is operated. For instance, mild highway driving in a warm climate will maximize the interval between oil changes. Depending on the vehicle, this could be in excess of 7,000 miles and as high as 12,000 miles. On the other hand, short-trip driving in a cold climate may limit the oil change to 3,000 miles or less. In general, most people that drive a combination of city and highway find that the GMOLS will indicate an oil change every 5,000 to 6,000 miles. GM data shows the OLS extends oil change intervals without risk to the engine."
I (hope I) didn't say the steering improved because of the oil change, but it may have been a combination of the chassis lube and the tire rotation. Seven months after purchase, I thought it was a good idea to give another tire a turn at being designated Curb Smacker. Obviously it's best if none of them are.
I bought a 04 Maxx new. I will provide you with info I got from an Amsoil website. I am not a dealer.
Here is what I found:
CHASSIS LUBRICATION
0 Fittings, 0 Plugs
CAPACITIES
Engine, with filter..........4.6 quarts
Cooling System, Initial Fill..........10.0 quarts
Automatic Transmission, 4T40E,-45E Initial Fill..........6.9 quarts
havent noticed any difference in the way it drives or shifts...but thought that amount was low
Are the blades the same width?
If so, then measure the length of the rear blade, and then the front blades.
Chances are the rear blade will fall between the lengths of the front blades. If so, then a replacement for the longest front blade can be trimmed to length of rear blade, and installed.
If the blades are not same width, then it's a bit of trial and error comparing the rear blade width to a suitable aftermarket blade.
believe Im the second Maxx owner on the forum to roll 100K now....with one or two more not far behind me...
fortunately AAA paid for itself this year....battery service came out....tested the battery and charging system...nothing left in the battery at all, everything else tested OK.......placed their jumper box on it..immediately got the door chimes back and it started right up.......went to the closed advanced auto parts store...and $78 later out with fresh new battery installed....and back to VA the next day.....
I reapplied scotch guard to all my fabric after 3 years. It is interesting how the Maxx's fabric gets stiffer after puting on an application. Nonetheless, I have been able to keep all the seats maticulous.
this should be the last major service for a while now....the last fluid that needs changing is the coolant..still OEM...beleive manual states 150K or five years.....will probably due it after the winter......
I replaced it with a 2006 Malibu Maxx LTZ (the only new one I could find in July 06). I was expecting to get similar OCI's and MPG on this car since it had the same LX9 V6 engine and 4sp automatic & a GVWR of 4515 lbs, only 22 lbs more than the 2004.
To my surprise and disapointment, my OCI's on the 2008 are only 3500-4500 mi & I average only 20.4 mpg. I have driven this car just under 12k mi/yr and my commute is 22 mi round trip on mostly highways. I want to have my dealer check this out, but I don't think they would be able to do anything.
So my question is, what is the OCI for other Maxx owners that change their oil based on the OLM? I welcome all responses, but am mainly interested in Maxx experience with LX9 V6.
1. One respondent said the new engine WAS tougher on oil.
2. One respondent had a G6 with an identical engine to yours and was getting about 7000 miles.
3. Two respondents wondered whether the car was reacting to the start and move tactics that dealers utilize to reposition cars on their lots. That would explain the first oil change, but it looks like you've had this for over a year.
I think your OLM is behaving abnormally. Trying to get the dealer to respond to that, however, when they want you to have 3000 mile oil changes may prove a challenge.
I agree, I think there is something wrong with my OLM and I will tell the dealer the next time I bring it in. My comments about my dealer described their practices back in 2004/2005. They now acknowledge and support the simplified maintenance schedule. They actually have a very good service dept and have always resolved my problems to my satisfaction.
To see the sticker on the exterior of the box door, you have to "unmount" the glovebox bin /door from its limit stops by opening the door, pressing hands on the sides of glovebox bin and pushing gently towards center of the drawer until the drawer's limit stops pop out from behind the dash trim.
At that point the glovebox bin will tumble forward (still hinged at bottom) and you should see a small orange or white sticker with a 3-digit number on it. That number is the paint code.
now that Im over 100k...I will probably change the fluid every 50k from here on out....the only fluid that hasnt been changed yet is the coolant...and I beleive the owners manual stated its good for 5 years or 150k.....that will be next....
car still running good.....using full sythetic oil..changing it per the OLM which is about every 6500 miles.....and the last thing I had to do was a new battery......3rd set of tires this summer......have almost 55K on the current set.....
I simply did a complete fluid change out at 100K.....
Thanks
I sure wish e2helper wasn't bannished to siberia. I still want an answer to my question regarding the interval at which one is supposed to get the tranny fluid replaced. All our manual states is that one should get the fluid out when driving in "harsh conditions." What about those of us who are driving on feathers and cushy pillows?
changing trans fluid isnt easy in the maxx since the fill hole is on top of the trans housing....and it has to be up on a lift, in park or neutral....I forget which..engine running to properly check the fill level....believe the procedure is outlined in the owners manual.......remember there is no dip stick ..as it is technically a closed system
is there any filter ? I would always assume there is some sort of filter / screen at least before the pump / pick-up? D~
http://www.imakenews.com/lng/e_article000505058.cfm?x=b11,0,w
It is the only portion of the article that dealt with trany fluid. Of note is the LONG term aspiration GM has to develope a 150,000 mile fluid. Apparently the newest version of Dextron does not yet meet this standard. I am contemplating changing the fluid soon on my 2004 Malibu Maxx with 60,000 miles on it just to be sure. I bought it new in 2004. I look forward to hearing from others about what they have learned about GM guidance on this matter. The article follows immediately below:--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
Jim Linden, who is responsible for specifications for GM’s automatic and manual transmission fluids, axle lubes, greases and other lubricants, described the impact of upgrades in those fluids.
“GM wants fill-for-life for all applications,” said Linden, who is based in Warren, Mich. “In the future at least, 150,000 miles will be considered ‘life’ for transmissions” in severe service.
In April 2005, GM introduced its trademarked Dexron-VI automatic transmission fluid, a significant upgrade over the previous spec, Dexron-III. The new fluid was required by the reduced sump volumes, higher fluid turnover rates and increased energy densities with the company’s new transmissions, Linden said. The new transmissions also have less airflow, and thus less cooling capacity, and more aggressive electronically controlled converter clutch usage. New six-speed transmission designs demanded a new fluid, which also had to be back-serviceable.
With premium ATFs, said Linden, base oil quality is vital to fluid performance. Ford’s Mercon-V calls for Group II-plus; DaimlerChrysler’s Mopar ATF+4 calls for Group II-plus or III; and Dexron-VI generally needs Group III quality.
“The Dexron-VI ATF specification does not specify a base oil quality level,” Linden noted. However, the viscosity and oxidation requirements make it difficult to meet the spec without using at least a Group III or Group II-III combination.
Thanks.
is it easy to install?