2013 Chevrolet Malibu: What Is the Oil Type and Capacity?

To care for your 2013 Chevy Malibu, you will need to know what type of oil it requires and how much it needs. 

A 2013 Chevrolet Malibu takes type SAE 5W-30 or SAE 5W-20 engine oil and has an oil capacity of 5 qt or 6.3 qt. The 2.4L and 2.0L engines take SAE 5W-30, while 2.5L engines require 5W-20. The capacity of 2.4L and 2.5L engines are 5 qt, and 6.3 qt for 2.0L engines. 

What Type of Oil Does a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Take?

What type of oil a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu takes depends on the engine. 

If you have a 2.4L or 2.0L engine, you should use SAE 5W-30 engine oil. 

Meanwhile, 2.5L engines require SAE 5W-20 engine oil. 

Do I Have to Use the Right Type of Oil in My 2013 Chevy Malibu?

Yes, you need to use the correct type of oil in your Malibu. 

If you do not, you risk damage to your engine and performance troubles. 

What Is the Oil Capacity for the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?

Chevrolet Malibus with 2.4L or 2.5L engines have a capacity of 5 qt (4.7L). 

Those with a 2.0L engine can take up to 6.3 qt (6L). 

How Do I Know What Type of Engine I Have in My 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?

You can determine your engine type as long as you know your car’s trim. 

And by the way, remember that the trim is the particular version of the 2013 Malibu you own. 

Chevy Malibu ECOs have a 2.4L engine. 

The LS, LT w/1LT, LT w/2LT, and the LTZ w/1LZ have a 2.5L engine. 

Finally, the LT w/3LT and LTZ w/2LZ come with 2.0L engines. 

What Class of Engine Oil Does My 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Require?

You should only use full synthetic engine oil in your 2013 Chevy Malibu. 

What Is Full Synthetic Oil?

You see, there are two main types of motor oils: synthetic and conventional. 

Conventional oil is just refined crude oil, whereas experts specifically formulate synthetic oil so that it can give you optimal performance. 

Is Full Synthetic and Synthetic Blend the Same?

No, full synthetic and synthetic blend oils are not the same. 

Full synthetic contains no crude oil, whereas synthetic blend does. 

You should use full synthetic oil in your 2013 Chevy Malibu. 

Should I Use High Mileage Oil?

You can use high mileage oil in your 2013 Chevrolet Malibu if your mileage is over 75,000 miles. 

Or, you can begin using high mileage oil when your car’s performance starts to suffer due to age. 

Ideally, it is best to talk to a licensed mechanic about whether it is time to start using high mileage oil. 

If I’m Already Using Conventional Oil, Can I Switch to Synthetic?

Yes, if you are already using conventional oil, you can switch to synthetic whenever you’d like. 

Plus, these two oils are compatible, so you don’t need an oil flush if you switch. 

Should I Use Dexos Oil in My 2013 Chevrolet Malibu?

Yes, you should use Dexos oil in your 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. 

In fact, General Motors recommends that all its cars made after 2011 use Dexos-approved oil. 

What Is Dexos Oil?

Dexos oil is a synthetic oil made by General Motors that meets a particular set of requirements. 

This oil helps your car pass emissions inspections and increases gasoline efficiency. 

Dexos also allows your engine to maintain proper lubrication. 

Should I Use Dexos1 or Dexos2 in My 2013 Chevy Malibu?

You should always use Dexos1 oils for a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu because Dexos1 oils are for cars with gasoline engines. 

How Do I Know if an Oil is Dexos Approved?

You can tell that a specific oil is Dexos approved by the Dexos label on the front of the product. 

Also, all products that are truly Dexos approved will have an 11-digit Dexos license number on the back. 

How Often Should I Change the Oil in My 2013 Chevy Malibu?

You should change full synthetic oil every 7,500 to 10,000 miles. 

For the average American driver, this means getting an oil change every six to eight months. 

What if I Don’t Change the Oil Often Enough?

If you are a bit overdue for an oil change, you probably won’t notice any issues with your vehicle. 

However, if you often go long periods without changing your oil, or you don’t change it all, you may start to notice problems with your vehicle’s performance. 

For example, if you don’t change your oil on time, you could run into the following issues:

• Your car overheats even if it has the proper amount of coolant
• You have to visit the gas station more often 
• The components of your engine wear down more frequently because they do not have the appropriate amount of lubrication 
• Dirt builds up in the oil channels, causing loss of power 
• Your engine starts to rust because it is not benefiting from the anti-corrosive elements in motor oil 
• You encounter engine knocking because your pistons are touching

How Much Is…

In the following sections, I will discuss the different costs associated with the oil maintenance in your 2013 Chevy Malibu. 

5W-30 Synthetic Engine Oil? 

Depending on the brand, you should expect to pay between $20 and $40 for a 5 qt (4.7L) bottle of 5W-30 synthetic engine oil. 

5W-20 Synthetic Engine Oil?

For 5W-20 synthetic engine oil, you will also likely pay between $20 and $40 for a 5 qt (4.7L) bottle. 

An Oil Change for a 2013 Chevy Malibu?

At most auto shops, you will pay between $60 and $110 for an oil change for 2013 Chevrolet Malibus of all variations. 

An Oil Filter for a 2013 Chevy Malibu?

You can expect to pay between $6 and $22 for a new oil filter for your 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. 

What if I Don’t Have Enough Oil in My 2013 Chevy Malibu?

If you don’t have enough oil in your Malibu, certain engine components will begin to rub together. 

And since these pieces move at high speeds, you can easily damage your engine, possibly to the point that it requires replacement. 

Low oil levels also leave your vehicle susceptible to overheating. 

In some cases, an engine without enough oil can even start a fire. 

What if There’s Too Much Oil in My 2013 Chevy Malibu?

Putting too much oil in your 2013 Chevrolet Malibu also isn’t a great idea. 

When you pour in too much motor oil, the crankshaft will aerate the oil, turning it foamy. 

Since foamy oil can’t lubricate the engine components properly, you will get an engine that doesn’t work as it should. 

Conclusion 

You should use either SAE 5W-30 or SAE 5W-20 in your 2013 Chevy Malibu, depending on the type of engine in your vehicle. 

As for oil capacity, your Malibu will take either 5 qt (4.7L) or 6.3 qt (6L), which also depends on the engine type. 

Additionally, don’t forget that the oil you put into your 2013 Malibu should be synthetic and Dexos approved.