Hey everyone. As most of us know from researching the Malibu's Specs it seems to be a very Low Maint. type of Car.

As everything seems to be built to last up to 100,000miles +

But to me that doesn't really sit well. So i want to see if we can put together a Service list for every mileage jump we hit on our malibus.

for example.

What types of vehicle checkups should we do once the car hits

5k

then what we should check when we hit

10K,20K,40K.....100K etc....

It would be good to know what you car wizards can recommend, for us that dont really know what to look for when the mileage starts adding up.

Hope this makes sense!

would love to hear from everyone.

Well GM has done a good job with long term service items.

Only things I did besides the usual oil/filter changes and so on was change my air filter at 20K and add a bottle of fuel system cleaner. I just rolled 23K, but I check the brake fluid and other things once and awhile.

I will most likely change the coolant and spark plugs at 50-60K, not going to wait to 100K like they say. (I won't have the car that long anyway).

Hey thanks for the heads up. I think ill jump on that boat and do the same as in my case i will probably have the car until it dies or until I decide to trade it in way down the line.

:)

Rotate tires every 6K, change trans fluid at 30K (if past that do it before it turns brown or black), and some GM fuel injector cleaner every 15K. The GM injector cleaner works really well. Oh, a good top engine cleaning every 30K to keep carbon under control. GM has a nice top engine cleaner that you just spray in the throttle body while it is running.

GM says 100K for plugs under optimum conditions, so like silver said, it wouldn't hurt to do it earlier. As for oil changes some follow the oil life monitor some do 3 months 3,000 miles. That is all personal preference there, I still follow 3 month 3000 mile oil changes.

This may be random, but I can't find a transmission fluid dipstick anywhere...do the 4 cyl engines not have one? How do you check the fluid then?

This may be random, but I can't find a transmission fluid dipstick anywhere...do the 4 cyl engines not have one? How do you check the fluid then?
No dipstick. There is a fill hole on the top of the trans. There is also a plug on the bottom of the trans that you remove and fill from the top till fluid drips out the hole on the bottom. This is done when the trans is at operating temp and running.

You really aren't supposed to "check" the tranny fluid in these, just have it flushed and filled when the manual tells you to.

Okay cool, so you change it just like a manual transmission 4 banger (like my acura). That's wierd, cause I thought you had to have all auto trannies pressure flushed or whatever, I didn't think gravity flush would work.

That's good if it does though, cause then I can do it myself instead of having to pay $100 for it!

Flushing is needed to change the fluid when the time comes. Flushing is also going to be the most thorough way of putting clean trans fluid in. The method I listed is just for checking it and filling it properly if there was a leak fixed.

Yeah I figured that, I saw the cap on the top of the transmission last night. That means there really is no way to check the level then. You just have to drain it and refill, you don't need to do a pressure flush or whatever like most other auto transmissions have to?

What's the change interval's GM recommends, is it every 50k miles?

Yeah I figured that, I saw the cap on the top of the transmission last night. That means there really is no way to check the level then. You just have to drain it and refill, you don't need to do a pressure flush or whatever like most other auto transmissions have to?

What's the change interval's GM recommends, is it every 50k miles?

I was just researching this one, 50k is the interval for the transmission fluid change for normal service, but it seems everyone here is on the paranoid interval of every 30K miles, which makes my dealership happy. That seems a bit early but this is my first Chevrolet so maybe I should be scared. ;) Even my GTI w/ dual clutches wasn't due for service until 40K.

I don't know what year your Malibu is (please indicate so in User CP) but 50k is for the "severe service" and 100k, "normal service" according to the 2010 owner's manual. I suppose most of us fall into the severe service category one way or another and thus sooner wouldn't hurt as long as it's done right (chemically flush with care if at all, don't overfill/underfill, don't use wrong fluid, etc.).

So wait, I forgot, can you do an auto transmission fluid change or flush on your own? Or do you have to take it in to the dealer?

It sounded like (above) that you can only top off the fluid if it's low. Any way to change it yourself? If not, how much does it cost to get it changed? (I'm at 54k miles and just realized I haven't changed it yet!).

It's probably not a casual DIY job. A pan-and-filter service on the 4T45 transaxle involves the fluid plus dropping the pan, replacing the filter and seals. A flush involves a pan-and-filter service plus hooking it up to a machine (via an oil cooler line). Costs vary by the kind of service and your location. Call up a couple service departments and ask for it in generic terms (automatic transmission fluid service) and they'll probably fill you in on the details.

OK, for the V6 6-speed, is there a drain-and-fill procedure that you can post, and a drain-and-flush procedure? I'd like to know what to prepare for when the time comes. Thanks in advance! :)

It is about the easiest trans fluid change to do. This is for the 6T70 6 speed trans with the V6.
http://cid-fb91e6b957bac3d4.office.live.com/self.aspx/.Documents/2011%20Malibu%20%206T70%20Trans%20fluid%20change.p df

That is truly easy! Thanks!

It is about the easiest trans fluid change to do. This is for the 6T70 6 speed trans with the V6.
http://cid-fb91e6b957bac3d4.office.live.com/self.aspx/.Documents/2011%20Malibu%20%206T70%20Trans%20fluid%20change.p df

Thanks. I was trying to dig up a relevant diagram on "Transmission Fluid Check" but so far got nowhere. Anyway, I wonder if anyone's using something like the Mityvac 7201 fluid evacuator on these 6T- somethings (pump it out and then replace exactly what came out):

http://www.mityvac.com/hq_images/07201.jpg

Thanks. I was trying to dig up a relevant diagram on "Transmission Fluid Check" but so far got nowhere. Anyway, I wonder if anyone's using something like the Mityvac 7201 fluid evacuator on these 6T- somethings (pump it out and then replace exactly what came out):

http://www.mityvac.com/hq_images/07201.jpg

I have used those before for overfilled fluids and they work nicely. I am not sure if it would get all of the fluid out or not though. In theory it should work just as well as draining the trans. I may try it sometime if I remember, my buddy has one that I can use.

I've been thinking of adding one of those (if not the exact Mityvac) to my toolbox. Then, the idea hit me since the 6T70 used to have a dipstick which means the tube can probably be inserted all the way to the bottom easily. Then, replace close to 5 quarts one weekend and then repeat the same another weekend which should equal to replacing 3/4 of the total. It'd be perfect for someone who doesn't want to raise it (all four corners to get it level) and crawle under it.

It sounds like severe service for mine ('08 V6 LTZ) would be 50K then (as per the manual as I thought I read it). It would be a full day in the shop and about $360 for what they are calling a 30K mile service which includes the transmission flush, injector cleaner, tire rotation and the "stare at the engine" service.

Now, that's funny, the "stare at the engine" part.:D I guess you can think of it as getting robbed or investing in a continuing relationship (goodwill isn't extended to just anyone).