2016-2023 Chevrolet Malibu Oil Life/Oil Change Light Reset & Tips
Last Updated on December 4, 2023 by Nick
The Chevrolet Malibu is a mid-size vehicle produced in the United States by General Motors (GM). This car is sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Israel. Did you get an oil life light or oil change minder warning on your Chevrolet Malibu and want to reset it? Please don’t go anywhere; we will help you.
Sometimes we have questions; after you purchase a brand new Malibu, you get two complimentary maintenance visits from General Motors. Well, after those expire, some of our guests like to do oil by themselves, so I’m going to show you today how to reset the oil life monitor that comes equipped in your Chevrolet Malibu. So let’s get into it now.
Table of Contents
What does Chevy Oil Life Mean?
The Chevrolet Malibu’s computer system tells you when to change the oil. It considers several factors, including the number of engine revolutions, the temperature, and how many miles the vehicle has driven. When the oil life is nearing its end, the car will display a dash message stating, “CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON.”
The GM Oil Life Monitor System resets the oil change interval every time it detects the need for an oil change. It will be triggered automatically by a computer reminder when the oil life reaches fifteen percent. This gives you ample time to make an appointment. Waiting to service the vehicle may result in severe engine damage, so keeping the oil changing interval up to date is essential. And don’t forget to reset the oil life monitor before the next service. Otherwise, your car won’t be able to function correctly.
How To Reset Oil Life in Chevrolet Malibu (2016-2023)
Time needed: 3 minutes
In this section, I’m going to show you how to reset the change oil massage on a Chevy Malibu equipped with a base-level display. So the way you do this is:
- Get the ignition key to the ON position without starting the car
If your vehicle has an ignition button, press and holds the Engine Start/Stop button for 5 seconds without touching the brake pedal
- Go to the VEHICLE tab menu (on some models displayed by car symbol)
Use the ◄ or ► arrow button to get over to the VEHICLE tab menu
- Scroll down to the OIL LIFE
Using the down arrow you’re gonna scroll down until you get to the remaining oil life
- Press the ✓ button for several seconds
To reset the oil life you’re gonna press and hold the checkmark button. Then it’s gonna say are you sure that you want to reset?
- Select YES
You’re going to press the up arrow to YES and click on that and you’ll notice that it goes from X% back up to a hundred percent
- Restart the car
Turn the ignition off and start the engine to verify the indicator has been reset
Resetting Oil Light with Up Level Display
Basically, this is the same as the base level display, you need to access the oil life menu using the navigation buttons on the steering wheel. Now the first thing you’re gonna do is:
- Turn on the ignition without starting the car, either by putting in the key or pressing the push-button start button
- Press the ◄ left arrow button to bring up the main menu
- Go into where it says INFO and hit the ✓ button
- You may have to scroll down around until you’re at the OIL LIFE percentage
- Press the ► right arrow button and then select the RESET option
- The system will ask you if you’re sure and if you hit YES and it’ll reset
For your info, this guide will be valid for the ninth generation of Chevrolet Malibu (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 model years). For the older ones, you can get them here.
How to Perform a Quick Oil Change on Your Chevy Malibu
If you plan to perform a quick oil change on your Chevy Malibu, you must follow a few tips. Before starting, make sure to shut off your vehicle. Locate the oil fill cap located at the top of the valve cover. Once you have found the lid, you can remove it with a wrench. Be sure to support your vehicle on jack stands, one under each front frame rail. Be sure to wear latex gloves and safety glasses, and prepare your tools before starting. Don’t forget to grab your tools: a 15-mm wrench, a drain pan, and shop rags.
Before starting your oil change, inspect your car’s engine. Ensure it has enough oil to prevent knocking noise and oil degradation. Low-grade oil can also cause the engine to overheat, which can cause many mechanical problems. The oil protects moving parts by separating them. It also protects against damage from friction and knocking. Lastly, changing the oil is a great way to protect your vehicle’s engine.
To begin, loosen the oil drain bolt using a 15mm socket and a 3/8″ drive ratchet. Be careful when removing the bolt, as hot oil will drip on your fingers. Once the oil drain bolt is removed, remove the oil drain plug and spin out the oil. You should notice a slow drip of oil. Replace any metal washers if necessary. If the oil pump has failed to do this, you can try a different method to drain the old oil.
FAQ – Malibu Oil Service
Synthetic oil is used in the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. 0w-20 with 4.2-quart capacity are required for the 1.5l 4-cylinder engine. As far as oil goes, the 1.8l 4-cylinder engine utilizes SAE 5w-20 and contains 5.3 quarts. The SAE 5w-30 engine oil, which has a 5-quart volume, is used in the 2.0l 4-cylinder.
Every 7,500 miles or year, you should replace your engine oil, but it depends on your driving condition. Regular oil changes may lengthen the life of your engine, improve gas economy, and increase your vehicle’s performance.
Hydraulic power steering pumps on earlier Chevy Malibu models utilize GM Power Steering Fluid. The reservoir may be found on the passenger’s side of the engine compartment, next to the firewall.
You should use DOT 3 brake fluid in your 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. A 19353126 is the part number. The owner’s handbook recommends changing the brake fluid every five years.
So that’s how you adjust the oil life monitor on Chevrolet Malibu. If you have any questions, come on down to the comment section. Thank you for your time and have a great day.
About The Author
jacob
Hi, I'm Jacob, and I have been passionate about automobiles since I was a child. I have spent countless hours assisting my father in his garage, learning everything there is to know about car maintenance and repair. For ten years, I ran a successful repair business, where I gained hands-on experience working with a variety of vehicles. As a result, I have developed a deep understanding of the mechanics of the car and have become an expert in maintaining and repairing any vehicle.
