The 1999 Chevy Malibu requires a transmission fluid change every 30,000 miles or 2 years, whichever comes first. The fluid keeps the gears shifting smoothly and prevents the engine from overheating. This regularly scheduled maintenance requires only a few tools and takes about an hour of time. Keep up with this work to protect the engine and prevent costly repairs that may happen if the maintenance is ignored.
Drive the car for 5 to 10 minutes and park it on level ground. Raise the front of the car up on a pair of jacks to reach the undercarriage of the engine easily. Slide underneath the car and locate the gear box, which is in the center of the engine, slightly off to the driver's side.
Place the 5-qt. pan underneath the drain bolt, which is located on the pipe in the front of the gearbox.
Remove the fill plug and the drain plug with the socket wrench. Wait until all the fluid stops draining from the gear box into the pan. Replace the drain plug.
Place the plastic tube of the fluid pump into the fill plug and squeeze 4 qts. of transmission fluid into the gear box. The fluid should begin to drip from the plug when it's full. Replace the fill plug with the socket wrench.
Lower the car from the jacks.
