1. Consult your owner's manual: This is the best place to start. Your manual will have diagrams showing the spark plug locations and any specific instructions for your vehicle.
2. Locate the engine cover: Pop the hood of your Malibu. You should see a large plastic cover over the top of the engine. This cover might be held in place by clips or screws. Carefully remove it.
3. Identify the ignition coil packs: Once the cover is off, you'll see several ignition coil packs (typically one per cylinder or a pair for each bank of cylinders). These are the components that deliver the spark to the spark plugs. They're usually black rectangular or cylindrical components.
4. Locate the spark plugs: The spark plugs are located directly beneath the ignition coil packs. Each coil pack will be connected to a single spark plug (or a pair of plugs) through a short, high-voltage wire. You'll likely need a spark plug socket and ratchet to remove them. This socket needs to be a deep well type, as the spark plugs sit recessed into the engine head. The size is usually 5/8" or 13/16" but you should check the size needed for your specific engine.
5. Be careful: Be careful when working around the engine. Avoid touching any hot engine parts. Disconnect the negative battery terminal before starting any work to prevent accidental shorts.
If you are unsure about any step, it's best to take your vehicle to a qualified mechanic. Incorrectly removing or installing spark plugs can damage your engine.
