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Chevrolet Malibu · 2012–2025

Chevrolet Malibu Fluid Types and Capacities

The specification is not the same across every year we cover, the table below shows exactly where it changes.

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Photo: Frettie / CC BY 3.0. Illustrative, not necessarily your model year or trim.

Has the Chevrolet Malibu fluids specification changed by year?

Model yearsTransmissionCoolantBrake
2016–20251.5T 2016–18 (6T40): DEXRON VI, drain-and-fill ~4.3 qt. 1.5T 2019+ (VT40 CVT): DEXRON CVT fluid only, severe-service change 45,000 mi. 2.0T 2016–18 (Aisin AF50-8): total fill ~7.5 qt. 2.0T 2019–22 (9T50): DEXRON HP. Hybrid drive unit: sealed. Wrong fluid kills the CVT, match the spec exactlyDex-Cool (orange, pre-mixed available). First change 5 years/150,000 mi. Hybrid adds a separate power-electronics coolant loop, dealer serviceGM-approved DOT 4 (verify the reservoir cap marking); flush every 5 years
2013–2015DEXRON VI. 6T40 (2.5L/eAssist): drain-and-fill ~4.3 qt, total fill ~9.5 qt, level set at side check plug. 6T70 (2.0T): drain-and-fill ~5–6 qt. Severe service change at 45,000 miDex-Cool (orange, pre-mixed available). First change 5 years/150,000 miDOT 3 brake fluid (verify the reservoir cap marking)
2012–20126T40 6-speed automatic: DEXRON VI. Pan drain-and-fill takes ~4–4.5 qt; no dipstick on later units, level checked at the side plug. Severe service change at 45,000 miDex-Cool (orange, silicate-free). First change 5 years/150,000 miDOT 3 brake fluid

Each row links to the full specification for that generation, including trim-by-trim breakdowns and the part numbers. Where engines within a generation differ, that page separates them.

Full specifications by generation

The fluids on a Chevrolet Malibu is set by its generation, not its model year, so each generation has one page carrying the complete figures, part numbers and fitment notes for every year it covers.

2016–2025 Chevrolet Malibu

9th generation (E2XX) · Mid-size sedan (production ended November 2024; 2025 is the final model year) · Fluids

2013–2015 Chevrolet Malibu

8th generation (Epsilon II) · Mid-size sedan (also sold to fleets as the 2016 'Malibu Limited') · Fluids

2012 Chevrolet Malibu

7th generation (final year) · Mid-size sedan (Epsilon platform) · Fluids

Chevrolet Malibu fluids: common questions

What transmission fluid does a Chevrolet Malibu take?

1.5T 2016–18 (6T40): DEXRON VI, drain-and-fill ~4.3 qt. 1.5T 2019+ (VT40 CVT): DEXRON CVT fluid only, severe-service change 45,000 mi. 2.0T 2016–18 (Aisin AF50-8): total fill ~7.5 qt. 2.0T 2019–22 (9T50): DEXRON HP. Hybrid drive unit: sealed. Wrong fluid kills the CVT, match the spec exactly. Transmission fluid specifications are not interchangeable. Friction modifiers differ between them, and the wrong fluid causes shudder long before it causes failure.

What coolant does a Chevrolet Malibu use?

Dex-Cool (orange, pre-mixed available). First change 5 years/150,000 mi. Hybrid adds a separate power-electronics coolant loop, dealer service.

What brake fluid does a Chevrolet Malibu take?

GM-approved DOT 4 (verify the reservoir cap marking); flush every 5 years.

Sources

Find your exact Malibu

Jump to a model year for the engines it offered, what changed, and the problems documented against it:

20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012

More Chevrolet Malibu guides:

Oil & filterBatteryTires & wheelsWiper bladesAir & cabin filtersBulbsBrakesService scheduleProblems & reliabilityOil light resetKey fob batterySpecs