2004 CHEVY/Chevrolet Malibu Owners Manual

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🏷️ Basic Information Identification Make: Chevrolet Model: Malibu Year: 2004 Product Name: 2004 CHEVY/Chevrolet Malibu Owners Manual 👋 Introduction Market Position Segment: Mid-size sedan Target Audience: Families and individuals seeking...

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Type: Car

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Sku: 583842

Tags: 2004 Car Cars Chevrolet Chevy Malibu

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Description

🏷️ Basic Information

Identification

Make:

Chevrolet

Model:

Malibu

Year:

Product Name:

2004 CHEVY/Chevrolet Malibu Owners Manual

👋 Introduction

Market Position

Segment:

Mid-size sedan

Target Audience:

Families and individuals seeking a comfortable, reliable, and practical daily driver.

Competitive Analysis

Key Competitors:

Ford Taurus, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Dodge Stratus.

Key Features

Interior Comfort:

Known for its spacious interior and comfortable ride quality, making it a good choice for longer journeys.

Value Proposition:

Offered a good balance of features, comfort, and affordability within its class.

Styling:

Featured a distinctive styling that set it apart from some of its more conservative competitors.

📋 Manual Details

Coverage Areas

Manual Type:

Owner's Manual

Language:

English

Format:

Printed Booklet

Page Count

Page Count:

Approximately 350-450 pages (estimated for a typical 2004 Malibu owner's manual)

📖 Manual Coverage

Systems Covered

Engine Operation:

Detailed explanation of engine controls, starting and stopping procedures, and engine break-in recommendations.

Instrument Panel:

Identification and function of all gauges, warning lights, and indicator symbols.

Lighting Systems:

Operation of headlights, taillights, interior lights, fog lamps (if equipped), and turn signals.

Climate Control:

Instructions for using the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, including manual and automatic climate control features.

Audio System:

Operation of the factory-installed radio/CD player, speaker system, and any associated controls.

Power Windows And Locks:

Operation and features of power windows, power door locks, and remote keyless entry.

Seating And Restraints:

Adjustment of seats, seat belt usage, operation of airbags and pretensioners.

Storage Compartments:

Location and usage of glove box, center console storage, door pockets, and trunk storage.

Fuel And Refueling:

Fuel recommendations, refueling procedures, and fuel tank capacity.

Tires And Wheels:

Tire pressure information, changing a flat tire, and information on wheel covers/alloy wheels.

Brakes:

Basic information on brake system operation and warning indicators.

Steering:

Information on steering system operation.

Cruise Control:

Operation of the cruise control system.

Wipers And Washers:

Operation of windshield wipers and washers, including intermittent settings.

Procedures Included

Maintenance Schedule:

Recommended maintenance intervals for oil changes, filter replacements, fluid checks, and inspections.

Fluid Checking And Refilling:

Instructions on how to check and add engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid.

Tire Pressure Adjustment:

Guidance on checking and adjusting tire pressure to recommended levels.

Changing A Flat Tire:

Step-by-step instructions for safely changing a flat tire, including jack placement and lug nut torque.

Jump Starting The Battery:

Detailed procedures for safely jump-starting a dead battery using jumper cables.

Replacing Wiper Blades:

Instructions on how to replace worn windshield wiper blades.

Fuse Replacement:

Location of fuse boxes and guidance on replacing blown fuses.

Bulb Replacement:

Information on replacing common exterior and interior light bulbs.

Interior Care And Cleaning:

Recommendations for cleaning and maintaining the vehicle's interior surfaces.

Exterior Care And Cleaning:

Guidance on washing, waxing, and cleaning the vehicle's exterior.

Technical Depth

Depth:

Comprehensive operational and basic maintenance guidance for the average owner. Does not cover in-depth mechanical repairs or diagnostics typically found in service manuals.

📊 Manual Specifications

File Format

File Format:

Physical printed booklet

Print Quality

Print Quality:

Standard professional print quality with clear text and diagrams.

Binding Type

Binding Type:

Saddle-stitched or perfect bound (typical for owner's manuals)

Paper Type

Paper Type:

Durable paper stock suitable for automotive environments.

⚙️ Engine Specifications

Primary Engine

Engine Type:

3.8L V6 (L36)

Displacement:

3.8 Liters (231 cubic inches)

Horsepower:

200 hp @ 5200 rpm

Torque:

225 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm

Optional Engine

Engine Type:

2.2L Ecotec 4-cylinder (L61)

Displacement:

2.2 Liters (134 cubic inches)

Horsepower:

144 hp @ 5800 rpm

Torque:

155 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm

Fuel System

Fuel Delivery:

Sequential Central Port Fuel Injection (SCPI)

Fuel Type:

Unleaded gasoline, 87 octane recommended

Engine Internals

Valvetrain:

Overhead Valve (OHV) for 3.8L V6; Dual Overhead Camshafts (DOHC), 16 valves for 2.2L Ecotec

Bore X Stroke:

3.8L V6: 3.74 in x 3.40 in; 2.2L Ecotec: 3.51 in x 3.39 in

Compression Ratio:

3.8L V6: 9.4:1; 2.2L Ecotec: 9.5:1

🔧 Transmission

Standard

Transmission Type:

4-Speed Automatic (4T65-E)

Gear Ratios:

Typical for 4T65-E: 2.92:1 (1st), 1.57:1 (2nd), 1.00:1 (3rd), 0.70:1 (4th), 2.34:1 (Reverse)

Optional

Transmission Type:

Not Applicable for 2004 model year. Only automatic was offered.

Features

Transmission Control:

Driver-selectable modes (e.g., 'D' for Drive, '3' for 3rd gear hold, '2' for 2nd gear hold)

Fluid Specifications

Fluid Type:

Dexron-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF), though Dexron-III was common at the time of manufacture. Always check the owner's manual for the most accurate recommendation.

📐 Dimensions

Exterior

Length:

Approximately 191.8 inches (4872 mm)

Width:

Approximately 69.9 inches (1775 mm)

Height:

Approximately 57.7 inches (1466 mm)

Wheelbase:

Approximately 110.5 inches (2807 mm)

Interior

Passenger Volume:

Approximately 102.6 cubic feet (2905 L)

Cargo

Trunk Volume:

Approximately 15.7 cubic feet (445 L)

Weights

Curb Weight:

Approximately 3250-3450 lbs (1474-1565 kg), depending on engine and equipment

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Gvwr:

Approximately 4400 lbs (1996 kg)

🛡️ Safety Features

Ratings

NHTSA Front Driver Side Impact:

5 Stars (for 2004 model year)

NHTSA Front Passenger Side Impact:

5 Stars (for 2004 model year)

NHTSA Side Impact Front Occupant:

4 Stars (for 2004 model year)

NHTSA Side Impact Rear Occupant:

4 Stars (for 2004 model year)

IIHS Frontal Offset Rating:

Good (for 2004 model year)

Active Features

Standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

Traction Control:

Optional Traction Control System (TCS)

Passive Features

Airbags:

Driver and front passenger airbags, with available side-impact airbags.

Seat Belts:

Three-point seat belts with pretensioners for front occupants, three-point seat belts for rear occupants.

Child Seat Anchors:

LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system

💡 Technology Features

Infotainment

Audio System Features:

AM/FM stereo with CD player, optional cassette player, steering wheel audio controls (on some trims).

Display Type:

Basic LCD or LED display for radio and clock functions.

Driver Assistance

Cruise Control:

Standard cruise control system.

Connectivity

Auxiliary Input:

Not standard. Aftermarket solutions may exist.

🔧 Maintenance

Service Intervals

Oil Change Interval:

Every 7,500 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first, under normal driving conditions.

Tire Rotation Interval:

Every 7,500 miles or 6 months

Engine Air Filter Replacement:

Inspect every 7,500 miles, replace as needed (typically every 30,000 miles).

Cabin Air Filter Replacement:

Inspect and replace as needed (typically every 15,000-30,000 miles).

Spark Plug Replacement:

2.2L Ecotec: Approximately 100,000 miles; 3.8L V6: Approximately 100,000 miles (depending on spark plug type specified).

Coolant Replacement:

Initial fill is typically long-life. Consult manual for specific interval, often around 100,000 miles for initial change.

Fluid Specifications

Engine Oil Type:

SAE 5W-30 (API Service SJ or SL)

Engine Oil Capacity:

3.8L V6: 4.5 US quarts (4.3 L) with filter; 2.2L Ecotec: 4.5 US quarts (4.3 L) with filter

Coolant Type:

GM P/N 10529049 (Orange), Dex-Cool Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant, or equivalent (50/50 mix with distilled water)

Brake Fluid Type:

DOT 3

Power Steering Fluid Type:

GM P/N 89021180 (Dexron-VI ATF) or equivalent

Known Issues

Engine Mounts:

Premature wear or failure of engine mounts, leading to increased vibration and noise.

Intake Manifold Gaskets:

Leaking intake manifold gaskets can cause coolant leaks and misfires, particularly on the 3.8L V6.

Window Regulators:

Failure of power window regulators, causing windows to become inoperable.

Wheel Bearings:

Premature wear of front wheel bearings, resulting in humming or grinding noises.

📚 Vehicle History

Brand Heritage

Parent Company:

General Motors (GM)

Model Evolution

Generation:

Third Generation Malibu (1997-2003) was replaced by the VEGA platform based generation in 2004. The 2004 Malibu represented a significant redesign with improved chassis and powertrain options.

Production

Manufacturing Location:

Kansas City, Kansas, USA; Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Production Years For Generation:

2004-2007

🏆 Awards & Recognition

Recognitions

Car And Driver 10Best:

The 2004 Malibu was not on Car and Driver's 10Best list, but its predecessors and successors have been recognized.

Ratings

Consumer Reports Reliability:

Reliability varied by model year and specific components. Owners' experiences are often mixed, with some reporting excellent reliability and others facing common issues.