2005 CHEVROLET COBALT Owners Manual

Courtesy Transportation is available only at participating
dealers and all program options, such as shuttle
service, may not be available at every dealer. Please
contact your dealer for specic information about
availability. All Courtesy Transportation arrangements
will be administered by appropriate dealer personnel.
Canadian Vehicles:For warranty repairs during
the Complete Vehicle Coverage period of the General
Motors of Canada New Vehicle Limited Warranty,
alternative transportation may be available under the
Courtesy Transportation Program. Please consult
your dealer for details.
General Motors reserves the right to unilaterally modify,
change or discontinue Courtesy Transportation at
any time and to resolve all questions of claim eligibility
pursuant to the terms and conditions described
herein at its sole discretion.Vehicle Data Collection and Event
Data Recorders
Your vehicle, like other modern motor vehicles, has a
number of sophisticated computer systems that monitor
and control several aspects of the vehicle’s performance.
Your vehicle uses on-board vehicle computers to monitor
emission control components to optimize fuel economy,
to monitor conditions for airbag deployment and, if so
equipped, to provide anti-lock braking and to help the
driver control the vehicle in difficult driving situations.
Some information may be stored during regular
operations to facilitate repair of detected malfunctions;
other information is stored only in a crash event by
computer systems, such as those commonly called event
data recorders (EDR).
In a crash event, computer systems, such as the Airbag
Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM) in your vehicle
may record information about the condition of the vehicle
and how it was operated, such as data related to
engine speed, brake application, throttle position, vehicle
speed, safety belt usage, airbag readiness, airbag
performance, and the severity of a collision. This
information has been used to improve vehicle crash
performance and may be used to improve crash
performance of future vehicles and driving safety. Unlike
the data recorders on many airplanes, these on-board
systems do not record sounds, such as conversation of
vehicle occupants.
7-9

To read this information, special equipment is needed
and access to the vehicle or the device that stores
the data is required. GM will not access information
about a crash event or share it with others other than:
with the consent of the vehicle owner or, if the
vehicle is leased, with the consent of the lessee,
in response to an official request of police or similar
government office,
as part of GM’s defense of litigation through the
discovery process, or
as required by law.
In addition, once GM collects or receives data, GM may:
use the data for GM research needs,
make it available for research where appropriate
condentiality is to be maintained and need is
shown, or
share summary data which is not tied to a specic
vehicle with non-GM organizations for research
purposes.
Others, such as law enforcement, may have access to
the special equipment that can read the information
if they have access to the vehicle or the device
that stores the data.
If your vehicle is equipped with OnStar
®, please check
the OnStar®subscription service agreement or manual
for information on its operations and data collection.
Reporting Safety Defects
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could
cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA), in addition to notifying
General Motors.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it nds that a safety defect exists in
a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your dealer, or
General Motors.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety
Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in
the Washington, D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation
Washington, D.C. 20590
You can also obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from the hotline.
7-10

Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may call them at
1-800-333-0510 or write to:
Transport Canada
Place de Ville Tower C
330 Sparks Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
Reporting Safety Defects to General
Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, we certainly hope you will notify
General Motors. Please call the Chevrolet Customer
Assistance Center at 1-800-222-1020, or write:
Chevrolet Motor Division
Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33170
Detroit, MI 48232-5170In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer
Case Unit Repair Manual
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments, and specications for GM
transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases.
7-11

Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give technical service information
needed to knowledgeably service General Motors cars
and trucks. Each bulletin contains instructions to
assist in the diagnosis and service of your vehicle.
In Canada, information pertaining to Product Service
Bulletins can be obtained by contacting your General
Motors dealer or by calling 1-800-GM-DRIVE
(1-800-463-7483).
Owner’s Information
Owner publications are written specically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner’s manual will include
the Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner’s Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00
Without Portfolio: Owner’s Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00
Current and Past Model Order Forms
Service Publications are available for current and
past model GM vehicles. To request an order form,
please specify year and model name of the vehicle.
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
7-12

A
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-16
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment............................5-90
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-21
Air Conditioning..............................................3-17
Airbag
Readiness Light..........................................3-25
Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)...... 7-9
Airbag System................................................1-48
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-54
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-57
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-54
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-55
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-53
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-50
Antenna, Fixed Mast.......................................3-76
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System . . 3-76
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................... 4-6
Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light..............3-28
Appearance Care............................................5-81
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............5-86
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-84
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-87Appearance Care (cont.)
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-85
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle................5-81
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-83
Finish Care.................................................5-85
Finish Damage............................................5-87
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................5-84
Leather......................................................5-83
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-87
Tires..........................................................5-87
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-87
Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials................5-88
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-85
Weatherstrips..............................................5-84
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-86
Ashtrays........................................................3-17
Audio System(s).............................................3-45
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-75
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-76
Care of Your CDs........................................3-76
Fixed Mast Antenna.....................................3-76
Radio with CD............................3-46, 3-51, 3-60
Setting the Time for Radios with
Radio Data Systems (RDS).......................3-46
1

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS).......................3-45
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-74
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-75
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-76
Automatic Door Locks....................................... 2-9
Automatic Transaxle
Fluid..........................................................5-22
Operation...................................................2-22
B
Battery..........................................................5-39
Run-Down Protection...................................3-16
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-22
Boost Gage...................................................3-34
Brake
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................ 4-6
Emergencies................................................ 4-8
Parking......................................................2-26
System Warning Light..................................3-27
Brakes..........................................................5-36
Braking........................................................... 4-5
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-16Bulb Replacement...........................................5-47
Back-Up Lamps...........................................5-52
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-49
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-47
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-44
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-48
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-53
Taillamps and Turn Signal Lamps..................5-50
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps........................................5-51
Buying New Tires...........................................5-64C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications............................5-97
Carbon Monoxide...........2-10, 2-30, 4-25, 4-37, 4-38
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-84
Your CD Player...........................................3-76
Your CDs ...................................................3-76
Center Console Storage Area...........................2-35
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-49
Chains, Tire...................................................5-68
2

Charging System Light....................................3-26
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-30
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-87
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-34
Infants and Young Children...........................1-31
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-40
Older Children.............................................1-28
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-42
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-43
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-45
Top Strap...................................................1-38
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-39
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-37
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-17
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............5-86
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-85
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-83Cleaning (cont.)
Finish Care.................................................5-85
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-81
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................5-84
Leather......................................................5-83
Tires..........................................................5-87
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-87
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-85
Weatherstrips..............................................5-84
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-86
Climate Control System...................................3-17
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-20
Clutch, Hydraulic.............................................5-23
Comfort Guides, Rear Safety Belt.....................1-25
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-80
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-14
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Convenience Net............................................2-36
Coolant
Engine Temperature Warning Light.................3-29
Heater, Engine............................................2-20
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-29
Cooling System..............................................5-31
3

Cruise Control................................................3-10
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-35
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users............................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors....7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government..............................7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government.........................7-10
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-11
D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-14
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Delayed Locking............................................... 2-8
Differential, Limited-Slip..................................... 4-9
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Dome Lamp...................................................3-15Door
Automatic Door Locks.................................... 2-9
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-8
Locks.......................................................... 2-7
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock.............. 2-9
Rear Door Security Locks............................... 2-9
Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-15
Seat Height Adjuster...................................... 1-3
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-35
DIC Operation and Displays..........................3-35
DIC Vehicle Personalization..........................3-40
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-37
Driver’s Storage Compartment..........................2-35
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-16
City...........................................................4-20
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Freeway.....................................................4-21
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-23
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-17
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-30
Winter........................................................4-25
4