So I just got a 2009 Malibu with 35k miles on it =]. I am very satisfied, but am puzzled as to why there is no information about oil changes in the manual except that the driver information display will tell you when its time but Im guessing thats not a smart idea? And also the front bumper is damaged a bit theres som plastic hanging off the bottom that wont be letting water in somewhere it shouldnt be? Sorry for these dumb questions Im a first time car owner.

First, welcome to the site.

Second, the driver information center has the Oil Life Indicator. Some use it (oil changes can last up to 7K miles if not more) and others don't use it (stick to 3K-5K miles between changes). Before you make your decision on it, please read this thread (http://www.chevymalibuforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4308) and then you'll make a very educated decision.

1. Welcome and congratulations!

2. The plastic hanging off the bottom of the bumper might be okay. On all of our Bu's there's a little air dam (yep, that what it's called) that helps reduce the amount of air getting under the car. Take a look at yours and others and see if it's similar to theirs or not.

The OLM uses engine oil temperature, operating time and miles to determine when to change the oil. Other than accounting for dirt in the air (as mentioned in the owner's manual) it is quite accurate in determining when to change the oil.

With my Corvettes I can see how different operating scenarios affect the oil life. I do a lot of track days where the oil temperature gets into the 260 to 270 range. On the days where the oil gets that hot the oil life decreases quicker than the days where I drive more miles on the highway and the oil temp stays close to the coolant temp. It also decreases quicker when I drive in fall/winter conditions where the oil doesn't get up to temperature. Even though the coolant may be up to its proper temp the oil sometimes doesn't get warm enough unless the engine runs a lot. On a thirty degree day driving at 60 mph for 5 miles after a cold start the coolant could be at 200 degrees but the oil might only be at 130.

Bill

I use Mobile1 5-30 extended performance synthetic oil with a mobile one synthetic oil filter and go 10-15 thousand miles between changes and the oil is still clear and clean.

i recomend going by the oil life monitor. i know many people that go by it with no problem for years. if you dont want to go by that, on my cars without the monitor i change the oil every 5000miles. 3000miles is way too low on any car. in fact manufacturers in the 1970s were suggesting changing it at 7500miles but it never caught on with people.

I do 5K or 6 mo oil changes on my LTZ with Pennz synthetic and Wix filters ;)

I do 5K or 6 mo oil changes on my LTZ with Pennz synthetic and Wix filters ;)

Excellent choice in oil there :) My oil changes are exactly like yours, except I use the AC DELCO filter.

Excellent choice in oil there :) My oil changes are exactly like yours, except I use the AC DELCO filter.
Make it three. Pennz Synthetic Platinum here too with AC filter. I change mine when OLS @ 30% which is about 7K miles or 6 months for my driving. I feel my car ran smoother after switching to the synthetic oil

I use Mobile 1 on mine and change it at OLM of 40% or so. We have ~ 25,000 miles on it so far. I did the 1st change at about 3k miles and have changed it twice since then.

Hi principalpony, Can you post some photos of what did you do in your modification of OLM of 40%. I am interested to increase mine for about 3,000 miles also. :D

Hi principalpony, Can you post some photos of what did you do in your modification of OLM of 40%. I am interested to increase mine for about 3,000 miles also. :D

I didn't do any modification. I just wait until the OLM says I'm down to 40% oil life, then I change the oil. Back when the auto makers said you could go 7,500 between oil changes (under ideal conditions), I never did. I used to change my oil at 3k miles. When I started using synthetic, I realized 3k was way too often to change the oil, so I started going to 4-5k miles. Even though the Owner's Manual will tell you that the OLM takes into account several factors to determine the life of your oil, I still think they are too generous or optimistic. That's why I change my oil at 40% according to the OLM.

I use the OLM and I average about 9000 miles between changes. Usualy around 10% oil life remaining.

I use the OLM and I average about 9000 miles between changes. Usualy around 10% oil life remaining.

That shows how the OLM really works. I do 90% highway driving and at 9000 miles on Mobil 1 I am barely at 40%.

For those of you that are still skeptical, the OLM really does save you some money you would spend on frequent and unnecessary oil changes. Just changed mine at 28% last weekend.