How to Change the Oil on a 2006 Chevy Malibu
by Robert GoodUpdated November 07, 2017
Items you will need
Floor jack
Jack stands
Drain pan
Ratchet set
Oil filter tool
New engine oil
New oil filter
The 2006 Chevy Malibu is a mid-sized sedan with a V6 engine. The oil pan on this model is located on the bottom of the engine in the center of the engine. The oil pan drain plug is on the driver side of the oil pan toward the rear of the oil pan; the oil filter is on the driver side right next to the oil pan drain plug. The oil filter looks like a small metal cup that has been screwed into the bottom of the engine. The oil filter must be changed along with the engine oil every time the oil is changed.
Open the 2006 Malibu's hood and remove the cap from the oil pour valve. The cap says "OIL" on the top of the cap in yellow writing. Place the cap on the edge of the engine compartment where you will not lose it, or where it will not fall into the engine compartment.
Raise the front left side of the Malibu's frame with the floor jack and rest the front left side of the frame onto the jack stand. Slide under the engine bring the drain pan with you. Locate the drain plug on the driver side of the oil pan and position the drain pan under the drain plug.
Remove the drain plug from the bottom of the Malibu's oil pan, using the ratchet set. Let all the engine oil drain completely from the engine's oil pan for about 5 minutes. Replace the oil pan's drain plug to the oil pan once the engine oil has completely drained.
Remove the oil filter using the oil filter tool. Place the ring on the end of the oil filter tool around the oil filter, pull the handle so that the ring tightens around the oil filter and twist the oil filter off the bottom of the engine. Fill the new oil filter up with new engine oil, rub oil around the rubber seal on the top of the oil filter and screw the new oil filter into the bottom of the engine.
Remove the oil drain pan out from under the engine. Using the jack, raise the front left side of the Malibu's frame and remove the jack stand. Lower the front left side of the Malibu's frame back to the ground.
Insert the oil funnel into the oil pour valve on the engine. If you are driving in cold weather, add 4-1/2 quarts of 5w30 engine oil into the engine. If you are driving in hot weather, add 4-1/2 quarts of 10w40 engine oil. Replace the oil pour valve's cap, start the engine and let the engine run for 5 minutes.
References
- "2006 Chevrolet Malibu Owner's Manual"; Chevrolet; 2006
- "Car Hacks & Mods For Dummies"; David Vespremi; 2004
Writer Bio
Living in Tucson, Ariz., Robert Good has been writing from 2003 on a wide variety of subjects ranging from sports, gardening and cooking to auto repair, home maintenance and travel. Good holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of the State of New York.
