🏷️ Basic Information

Make:

Chevrolet

Model:

Malibu

Year:

2008

Region:

North America

👋 Introduction

Positioning:

Mid-size sedan, competing in a segment with strong offerings from Ford (Fusion), Toyota (Camry), Honda (Accord), and Nissan (Altima).

Competitors:

Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Chrysler Sebring.

Features Highlight:

Comfortable ride, spacious interior for its class, available V6 engine, respectable fuel economy for the era.

📋 Manual Details

Primary Coverage:

Owner's Manual

Secondary Coverage:

Basic maintenance, operation, safety features, infotainment, troubleshooting.

Estimated Page Count:

Approximately 300-400 pages (typical for a full owner's manual).

Type:

Owner's Manual

Language:

English

Format:

Printed softcover (typical for original manufacturer delivery)

📖 Manual Coverage

Powertrain:

Engine operation, cooling system, fuel system, exhaust system.

Drivetrain:

Transmission operation (automatic), drive axles.

Chassis:

Braking system (operation, parking brake), steering system, suspension system.

Electrical:

Lighting system (exterior and interior), instrument cluster and indicators, battery, charging system basics, fuses and circuit breakers.

Body:

Doors, windows, locks, mirrors, seats, climate control system (HVAC), audio system, power accessories.

Safety:

Airbags, seat belts, child restraint systems (LATCH), ABS, traction control, stability control.

Infotainment:

Radio operation, CD player, auxiliary input, display functions.

Operation:

Starting and driving, parking, operating controls and features.

Maintenance:

Checking and adding fluids (oil, coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid), tire pressure checks, bulb replacement, wiper blade replacement.

Troubleshooting:

Understanding warning lights, basic troubleshooting for common operational issues.

Emergency:

Emergency situations, roadside assistance information.

Depth:

Consumer-focused, covering essential operation, maintenance, and safety. Does not include detailed diagnostic procedures or component-level repair instructions.

📊 Manual Specifications

Format:

Printed

Quality:

Original Manufacturer Quality (typically good clarity and durable paper)

Binding:

Perfect bound or saddle-stitched (typical for softcover manuals)

Paper:

Standard gloss or matte paper (designed for durability and readability)

⚙️ Engine Specifications

Engine 1:

2.4L Ecotec Inline-4

Engine 1 Code:

LE5

Engine 1 Displacement:

2384 cc (145 cu in)

Engine 1 Horsepower:

169 hp @ 6400 rpm

Engine 1 Torque:

170 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm

Engine 1 Fuel System:

Port Fuel Injection (PFI)

Engine 1 Fuel Type:

Unleaded Gasoline

Engine 1 Compression Ratio:

9.8:1

Engine 2:

3.5L V6 (High Value Option)

Engine 2 Code:

LZE

Engine 2 Displacement:

3500 cc (213 cu in)

Engine 2 Horsepower:

214 hp @ 5800 rpm

Engine 2 Torque:

223 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm

Engine 2 Fuel System:

Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI)

Engine 2 Fuel Type:

Unleaded Gasoline

Engine 2 Compression Ratio:

9.8:1

🔧 Transmission

Transmission Type:

4-speed Automatic

Transmission Code:

4T45-E

Transmission Type Optional:

No optional transmissions offered for this model year.

Transmission Features:

Driver Shift Control (manual shift capability), overdrive gears for highway efficiency.

📐 Dimensions

Length:

191.8 in (4872 mm)

Width:

70.4 in (1788 mm)

Height:

57.4 in (1458 mm)

Wheelbase:

110.5 in (2807 mm)

Front Track:

61.7 in (1567 mm)

Rear Track:

62.1 in (1577 mm)

Front Headroom:

39.1 in (993 mm)

Rear Headroom:

37.8 in (960 mm)

Front Legroom:

42.2 in (1072 mm)

Rear Legroom:

37.8 in (960 mm)

Trunk Volume:

15.1 cu ft (427 L)

Curb Weight Min:

3379 lbs (1533 kg) (for 2.4L models)

Curb Weight Max:

3500 lbs (1588 kg) (for 3.5L V6 models)

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Gvwr:

Approximately 4500-4600 lbs (varies by engine and trim)

🛡️ Safety Features

NHTSA Front Driver Crash Rating:

5 Stars (2008 Model Year)

NHTSA Front Passenger Crash Rating:

5 Stars (2008 Model Year)

NHTSA Side Driver Crash Rating:

4 Stars (2008 Model Year)

NHTSA Side Passenger Crash Rating:

4 Stars (2008 Model Year)

NHTSA Side Rear Passenger Crash Rating:

4 Stars (2008 Model Year)

NHTSA Rollover Rating:

4 Stars (2008 Model Year)

Active Safety:

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Traction Control System (TCS), StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control (ESC) (available on some trims).

Passive Safety:

Front dual-stage airbags, front side-impact airbags, front and rear head curtain airbags (side-impact/head curtain airbags typically standard or part of option packages), front seatbelt pretensioners, LATCH child seat anchor system.

💡 Technology Features

Infotainment System:

Chevrolet MyLink (base radio with AM/FM, CD player, auxiliary input jack). Higher trims may have optional premium audio systems and SiriusXM Satellite Radio.

Driver Assistance Features:

Optional StabiliTrak with Traction Control and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD). Cruise control is standard.

Connectivity Options:

Auxiliary audio input jack for connecting external music players. No Bluetooth or USB connectivity on base models of this year.

🔧 Maintenance

Oil Change Interval:

7,500 miles or 6 months (whichever comes first), or based on Oil Life Monitoring System. Consult manual for specific driving conditions.

Tire Rotation Interval:

Every 7,500 miles.

Engine Air Filter Replacement:

Check every 22,500 miles; replace as needed. Recommended replacement typically around 45,000 miles or sooner if conditions warrant.

Cabin Air Filter Replacement:

Check every 22,500 miles; replace as needed. Recommended replacement typically around 45,000 miles or sooner if conditions warrant.

Spark Plug Replacement:

Approximately 100,000 miles (based on iridium-tipped plugs typically used).

Engine Oil Specification:

SAE 5W-30 Synthetic (dexos1 or API Certified ILSAC GF-5 compatible).

Engine Oil Capacity:

4.8 US quarts (4.5 L) with filter for 2.4L; 5.0 US quarts (4.7 L) with filter for 3.5L V6.

Coolant Specification:

GM P/N 12346780 (Orange) or equivalent, a 50/50 mix of DEX-COOL antifreeze and distilled water.

Transmission Fluid Specification:

Dexron VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.

Brake Fluid Specification:

DOT 3.

Power Steering Fluid Specification:

GM P/N 12345886 or equivalent (Dexron III/VI Automatic Transmission Fluid may be listed as an alternative in some manuals).

Common Issues Powertrain:

Some models experienced oil consumption issues with the Ecotec engines. Transmission shifting can sometimes be harsh. Early V6 models had some reports of camshaft actuator issues.

Common Issues Electrical:

Reports of power window motor failures, HVAC blower motor resistor issues, and intermittent electrical gremlins due to sensor failures or wiring harnesses.

Common Issues Chassis:

Front suspension components (struts, ball joints) can wear prematurely, leading to clunking noises. Some water pump leaks have been reported.

Common Issues Interior:

Creaks and rattles from the interior trim panels are not uncommon.

📚 Vehicle History

Chevrolet Heritage:

Founded in 1911, Chevrolet is a cornerstone of American automotive manufacturing, known for a wide range of vehicles from compact cars to heavy-duty trucks.

Malibu Evolution:

The Malibu nameplate has a history dating back to the 1960s as a popular Chevrolet model. The 2008 model represents the fourth generation (2008-2012), a significant redesign based on the new Epsilon platform shared with the Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura, aiming for improved refinement and driving dynamics.

Production Location:

Kansas City, Kansas, USA; Delta Township, Michigan, USA.

Generation Production:

Fourth Generation: 2008-2012

🏆 Awards & Recognition

Awards And Ratings:

The 2008 Malibu was praised for its styling and improved ride quality over previous generations. It received decent safety ratings from NHTSA. While not a segment leader in every category, it was considered a competent and comfortable offering.