Chevrolet 2012 Malibu Owner's Manual page 214

9-12 Vehicle Care
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it
with a paper towel or cloth, then
push it back in all the way.
Remove it again, keeping the
tip down, and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the MIN
(minimum) mark, add 1 L (1 qt) of
the recommended oil and then
recheck the level. See "Selecting
the Right Engine Oil" in this section
for an explanation of what kind of oil
to use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, see Capacities and
Specifications on page 11‑2.
Notice: Do not add too much oil.
If the engine has so much oil that
the oil level gets above the upper
mark that shows the proper
operating range, the engine could
be damaged.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 9‑6 for the location of the
engine oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when done.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil
depends on both the proper oil
specification and viscosity grade.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 10‑7.
Specification
Use and ask for licensed engine oils
with the dexos2™ approved
certification mark. Engine oils
meeting the requirements for the
vehicle should have the dexos2
approved certification mark. This
certification mark indicates that the
oil has been approved to the dexos2
specification.
Notice: Failure to use the
recommended engine oil or
equivalent can result in engine
damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Check with your dealer or service
provider on whether the oil is
approved to the dexos2
specification.
Viscosity Grade
SAE 5W-30 is the best viscosity
grade for the vehicle. Do not use
other viscosity grade oils such as
SAE 10W-30, 10W-40, or 20W-50.
If in an area of extreme cold, where
the temperature falls below -20°F
(-29°C), an SAE 0W-30 oil should
be used. An oil of this viscosity
grade will provide easier cold
starting for the engine at extremely
low temperatures. When selecting
an oil of the appropriate viscosity
grade, always select an oil that
meets the dexos2 specification or
equivalent. See "Specification" for
more information.