2006 Chevrolet Malibu Owner's Manual - Page 100

Engine Coolant Heater In very cold weather, 0°F (−18°C) or colder, the engine coolant heater, if your vehicle has this feature, can help. You will get easier starting and lower fuel usage during engine warm-up. Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle. At temperatures above 32°F (0°C), use of the coolant heater is not required. Your vehicle may also have an internal thermostat in the plug end of the cord. This will prevent operation of the engine coolant heater when the temperature is at or above 0°F (−18°C) as noted on the cord. {CAUTION: Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong kind of extension cord could overheat and cause a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the cord into a properly grounded three-prong 110-volt AC outlet. If the cord will not reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated for at least 15 amps. 3. Plug the cord into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet. 4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the cord as it was before to keep it away from moving engine parts. If you do not, it could be damaged. How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact your dealer in the area where you will be parking your vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that particular area. To Use the Engine Coolant Heater 1. Turn off the engine. 2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord. On the 2.2L engine, the engine coolant heater cord is located near the air cleaner box on the passenger's side of the engine compartment. On the 3.5L and 3.9L V6 engines, the engine coolant heater cord is located on the driver's side around the battery box. See Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12 for more information on location. 2-26