1997 Chevrolet Malibu Owner's Manual - Page 118

Check Oil Light(If Equipped) If your vehicleis equipped with a3 100 engine, then you will have a CHECK OIL light in your instrument panel cluster. oil considerable periodof time allowing the normally in circulation to drain back the oil pan. into Passlock Warning Light This light will come on briefly when you turn the ignition to ON. The light will stay on until the engine starts. CHECK OIL THEFT SYSTEM If the light stays on after starting your vehicle, or comes on and chimes, your engine oil level should be checked. Prior to checking the oil level, be sure your vehicle has If the light flashes, the Passlock system has entered a been shut off for several minutes andis on a level tamper mode. If the vehicle fails to start, see "Passlock" surface. Check the oil level on your dipstick and bring in the Index. it to the proper level.See "Engine Oil" in the Index. If the light comes on continuously while driving and NOTE: A false CHECK OIL light may be generated stays on,there may be a problem with the Passlock when parking onsteep grades. system. Your vehicle will not be protected by Passlock, and you should see your dealer. The oil level monitoring system only checks oil level during the brief period between key on and engine crank. It does not monitor engine oil level when the engine is running. Additionally, an oil level check is only performed if the engine has been turned for a off