Chevrolet Malibu 2013–2015 · Maintenance schedule & cost to maintain

GM's oil life system sets this: change within 600 miles of CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON, and at least once a year. The severe chart carries the same oil row, so there is no shorter severe number. dexos1 oil: 5W-20 for the 2.5L (0W-20 allowed from 2014), 5W-30 for the 2.0L turbo and 2.4L eAssist. 5.0 qt, except the 2014 book gives the 2.0L turbo 6.3 qt.

GM's books call for a tire rotation every 7,500 miles, at the same visit as its Required Services check, in all three years. The Malibu is front-drive, so rotating on time is what lets a set wear evenly. Worn struts bounce the tires and cup the tread whatever the alignment, so check the struts before paying for new tires on a car with cupped tread.

GM sets no alignment mileage. Its book lists the signs: pulling, poor handling or unusual tire wear. Align after new tires or any strut or suspension work. Worn control-arm bushings let the alignment drift back out, so replace them first or the alignment money is wasted.

GM: replace every 22,500 miles or two years, whichever comes first, with the same row on both charts, so there is no shorter severe number. GM says sooner in heavy traffic, poor air quality or dust, or when airflow drops, windows fog or it smells. GM's parts table lists 13271190, ACDelco CF181 in the 2014 and 2015 books.

Severe-schedule default: GM's severe chart changes the DEXRON-VI at 45,000, 90,000 and 135,000 miles in all three books. Normal chart: 97,500 miles in 2013-2014, and no change at all in the 2015 book. GM's severe test: mainly hot-weather city traffic, hills or mountains, frequent towing, high speed, or taxi, police or delivery use. GM says no level check is needed.

GM: replace every 45,000 miles or four years, whichever comes first, same row on both charts, and inspect it at every 7,500-mile service. GM's 2014 parts table: 2.5L 20972654, 2.0L turbo 20972655, 2.4L eAssist 55560894. The 2013 book lists only 55560894, with no engine split, so match the filter already in the box.

GM: 2.0L turbo plugs every 60,000 miles, and again at 120,000, on both charts, with the plug wires inspected. GM's parts table lists ACDelco 41-116 in the 2013 book and 41-125 in the 2014 and 2015 books, so match the plug to your model year.

Wear-based. GM has the brake system inspected every 7,500 miles and prints no replacement mileage. GM's book lists chirping, grinding or squealing noises, or difficulty stopping, as signs of wear. Replace on the inspection's say-so, not by the odometer.

No GM interval. GM's book lists the signs: steering wheel vibration, bounce or sway while braking, longer stopping distances, or uneven tire wear. Worn struts let the tires bounce and cup, so new tires on worn struts wear out early. Budget an alignment after the struts go in.

Wear-based, no GM interval. GM has steering, suspension and chassis parts inspected every 7,500 miles. Axles commonly last 70,000 to 130,000 miles. Grease spattered around the wheel or suspension means a boot has torn, so have it checked before the joint runs dry. RepairPal lists no 2013-2015 Malibu row, so no cost is shown.

Wear-based, no GM interval. They commonly wear out around 100,000 miles. A worn bushing throws off the alignment and wears the tread unevenly, so an alignment done on worn bushings will not hold. Replace the bushings first, then align. RepairPal lists no 2013-2015 Malibu row, so no cost is shown.

Wear-based, no GM interval, and nothing Malibu-specific we could verify. A worn mount shows as a clunk on takeoff or an idle that is rough only in gear. Left alone, extra engine movement can crack the exhaust manifold, let a fan touch the radiator or damage CV joints, so the second repair costs more than the mount.

GM: every 97,500 miles on both charts, with the plug wires inspected. GM's parts table: 2.5L ACDelco 41-115, 2.4L eAssist 41-108. No timing belt job pairs with this: none of the three books prints a belt row, and GMPartsGiant lists genuine GM timing chains for the 2.0L, 2.4L and 2.5L.

GM's 2013 and 2014 books inspect the eAssist car's accessory drive belts at 97,500 miles or 10 years, whichever comes first, on both charts, and replace them if frayed, badly cracked or damaged. The 2.5L and 2.0L turbo belts wait until 150,000 miles. GM prints no replacement mileage.

GM: drain and fill at 150,000 miles or five years, whichever comes first, same on both charts, so at typical mileage the five years comes first. DEX-COOL 50/50 only. Capacity: 7.4 to 7.8 qt on the 2.5L and 2.0L turbo, 10.1 qt on the 2.4L eAssist.

GM: replace at 150,000 miles or 10 years, whichever comes first, same on both charts in all three books, so there is no shorter severe number. DOT 3. Firestone's 2015 listing says every 45,000 miles, which is not GM's number.

GM prints no battery interval. AAA puts battery life at three to five years and says to test it every year from year three. GM's 2014-2015 books: the 12V battery is an AGM under the hood, and a standard battery shortens its life. 2.5L stop/start cars add an auxiliary battery in the trunk. No clean 2013-2015 cost row was found.