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2000-2011 Chevrolet Malibu
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Comments
Just today picked up my 2002 LS with gray leather, sunroof, spoiler...and beautifully smooth and shiny black paint.
I must say, for a "family sedan" it is fun to drive and I think it looks really cool...and my 11 year old loves it too.
Thanks to you board members who have posted and given us great insight, and I am so glad to see Chevy building a car like this.
By the way, it is hard to find Malibu in such configuration. Walked at new car lot while changing oil yesterday at a big Chevy dealership. They had about 15 Malibu on the lot, but only one was with sunroof. White.
My dealer was Henna Chevrolet here in Austin, the 3rd largest in the nation. They had 3 cars in this configuration, white, black and silver.
And yes, dindak, the 2002 is MILES above my 98. Much more solid...tight...better build quality and materials...and the extra 20hp is very noticeable...
Now, if my K&N air filter will just come today, and then if I can get to the performance shop for a better muffler...I should be up around 190hp...
Woo hoo...glad I have that radar detector!!!
L~
So what is the repair or part that need to be bought/done? Would I have to take the car to the dealership or is it an easy enought job that my fiance (mechanicaly inclined) can handle???
Please let me know at your earliest.
Bigger anti-sway bars will do the trick if you can find them. Start with a bigger (thicker) rear bar unless it is a matched front and rear set (then get the set). There are aftermarket hi-perf bars, braces, springs and struts for Grand Prix's (@Grandprixstore.com). Don't know the availability for Malibu's. Hopefully there is a similar source.
However, it depends on your driving style and driving pattern.
For example, I seldom drive on concrete slabs. Connecticut highways are mostly paved by asphalt; the same with streets. NY highways are mostly made from the slabs, and require lower tire pressure. I feel every road seam when venturing to NY state, and especially NY city. Uncomfortable.
Second, I am turning a bit faster than usual, and my tires are wearing out on shoulders first. Moderate overinflation helps somewhat. With slower turns, overinflated tires would wear out first on center.
To make a long story short...if you dealer gives you hassle, raise the "I'm calling the regional folks" card. I also think if you scroll back a little you will find the TSB info?
Good luck
L~
Also, there's a small plastic button (looks beige, or off-white) right next to the radio volume knob. What is it for? I've never seen do anything. I got a 99 M'bu
Hey, those of you fellas who got a new radio with RDS, I drove an Impala with an identical system, and let me tell you, they made the station-select buttons much smaller! What a huge inconvenience, you now have to look to see which button you are pressing. Are they saving on plastic or something? In my M'bu I don't even look at the buttons, cause they are so huge.
By the way, does anyone here have a M'bu with more than 100K miles on it? I am wondering how long these things last. A car engine should last about 250-300K miles before being rebuilt, right? And after it's being rebuilt, I guess it should last at least another 100K? Does anyone have an idea?
Thanks!
some issues: I think the motor will last well over 100k miles. This motor has been in production for years. The only negative against it is the intake manifold gasket leak that plagues the GM small block V6 engines.
I have 2001 Malibu with 16,800 miles on it and have been pleasently surprised with this vehicle. No it's not as refined as the Accord or Camry but for $3k-$4k less, it was exactly what we were shopping for last July. My biggest complaint about the car is the tires. But they are not bad enough to replace. I cna live with them for another 30k miles.
This is what you do if you mechanically minded, take the whole switch off and get to the circuit board. Unsolder both led (little light)one for the ac and the other for the defroster and swap them that should solve the problem and you will never have that problem again.If you have any question i will be happy to assist you further.
I need advice.
Thanks.
Before replacing the whole switch try what i said it will work.
Oil changes on the Malibu are very easy to perform. The oil drain plug could be metric size (15 mm). The oil filter is removed from the bottom. You have to remove the plastic cover which is held in by 2 wing nuts. Obtain a oil filter wrench which fits on the end of the oil filter. The added length and the leverage over the band-type filters will be greatly appreciated. My other car is a 2002 Avalon and the oil filter is just behind the exhaust manifold. Since the oil has to be drained hot, you get in very close contact with the hot surface when removing the oil filter (from the top of the engine).
I've tried to pinpoint the problem by checking fuses, opening the console and checking switches and wires, but it all looks OK. It seems to me the problem does'nt come from the controls but from somewhere else. Does anyone know of this problem and how to fix it? My warranty ran out.
I also have a very irritating creaking type noise coming from the center (I think) of the dash. I have not been able to locate it's source.
Other than that , I have been pleased with the car. I've had none of the problems often mentioned
here, so far at least, with 39,000 miles. I will say that I am not confident in the longevity of this car. Too bad, because I like it.
Just a bad resistor. It was fixed under warranty, but according to paperwork it cost something like $25. 1/2 hour of labor at most.
The other problems you mentioned is either A/C, or its the lights going on and off by themself. I have no first hand experience, but there was several reports on this board.
Repaired it at Firestone. The mechanic at dealership also thought at first the oil leaks from different place. Later he looked the second time and confirmed the Firestone diagnose.
Or the need to buy a new switch assembly.
You could buy one from junk yard but you might have the same problem.i have seen on this board same problem over and over again,i don't understand why there was no recall
czanfardino... I had read your first message regarding this and found it interesting. I don't understand the logic behind it but I might give it a try before going to the dealership or getting a new panel board.
Anybody else have any suggestions???
Should I have all tires inflated to the same pressure or should I have a higher pressure in the front, as recommended for the Firestone tires? Thanks.
And what about my brake pads question. I seriously start doubting all those claims about bad OEM pads, as no one stepped forward to say which replacement pads they'd recommend :-)