Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-8
Safety Belts
.............................................. 1-9
Child Restraints
.......................................1-28
Airbag System
.........................................1-48
Restraint System Check
............................1-57
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-7
Windows
.................................................2-12
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-14
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-16
Mirrors
....................................................2-32
OnStar
®System
......................................2-34
Storage Areas
.........................................2-35
Sunroof
..................................................2-36
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-17
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-21
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-35
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-45Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-35
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-44
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-47
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-53
Tires
......................................................5-54
Appearance Care
.....................................5-81
Vehicle Identi cation
.................................5-89
Electrical System
......................................5-90
Capacities and Speci cations
.....................5-97
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-10
Index................................................................ 1
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner ManualM
Keys...............................................................2-2
Remote Keyless Entry System.........................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System Operation...........2-4
Doors and Locks.............................................2-7
Door Locks....................................................2-7
Power Door Locks..........................................2-8
Delayed Locking.............................................2-8
Automatic Door Locks.....................................2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock...............2-9
Rear Door Security Locks................................2-9
Lockout Protection........................................2-10
Trunk..........................................................2-10
Windows........................................................2-12
Manual Windows..........................................2-12
Power Windows............................................2-13
Sun Visors...................................................2-14
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-14
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-14
Passlock
®....................................................2-16
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-16
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-16
Ignition Positions..........................................2-17
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)...................2-19
Starting the Engine.......................................2-19
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-20Automatic Transaxle Operation.......................2-22
Manual Transaxle Operation...........................2-24
Parking Brake..............................................2-26
Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle)......2-28
Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)................................2-29
Parking Your Vehicle.....................................2-29
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-30
Engine Exhaust............................................2-30
Running the Engine While Parked...................2-31
Mirrors...........................................................2-32
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-32
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror................2-32
Outside Manual Mirror...................................2-32
Outside Remote Control Mirror.......................2-32
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-33
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-33
OnStar
®System.............................................2-34
Storage Areas................................................2-35
Glove Box...................................................2-35
Cupholder(s)................................................2-35
Center Console Storage Area.........................2-35
Driver’s Storage Compartment........................2-35
Convenience Net..........................................2-36
Sunroof.........................................................2-36
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
To reduce glare from lamps behind you, move the lever
toward you to the night position.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
The automatic dimming rearview mirror automatically
dims to the proper level to minimize glare from
lights behind you after dark.
Outside Manual Mirror
Adjust your outside mirror so you can just see the side
of your vehicle and have a clear view of objects
behind you. The mirror can be folded in to enter
narrow areas.
Outside Remote Control Mirror
Adjust the driver’s outside
mirror with the control
lever located on the
driver’s door.
Adjust the outside mirrors so that the side of the vehicle
can be seen while sitting in a comfortable driving
position.
To adjust the passenger’s outside mirror, sit in the
driver’s seat and have a passenger adjust the mirror for
you. The mirror is a manual fold design.
2-32
Entry/Exit Lighting
The lamps inside your vehicle will go on when you open
any door. These lamps will fade out after about
20 seconds after all of the doors have been closed or
when the ignition is turned to ON. These lamps will also
go on when you press the trunk release, unlock
symbol button or the horn symbol on the keyless entry
system transmitter.
The lamps inside your vehicle will stay on for about
20 seconds after your key is removed from the ignition
to provide an illuminated exit.
Mirror Reading Lamps
Your vehicle may have reading lamps on the rearview
mirror. Push the button to turn the reading lamps on
and off.
Battery Run-Down Protection
Your vehicle is equipped with a battery saver feature
designed to protect your vehicle’s battery.
When any interior lamp is left on and the ignition is
turned off, the battery rundown protection system will
automatically turn the lamp off after 20 minutes. This will
avoid draining the battery.
Accessory Power Outlets
Accessory power outlets can be used to connect
electrical equipment such as a cellular phone or CB
radio. The outlet can accept electrical equipment rated
at a maximum of 20 amps.
The accessory power outlet is located in the center
console, rearward of the shift lever.
To use the outlet, remove the cover. When not in use,
always cover the outlet with the protective cap.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain the battery. Always turn
off electrical equipment when not in use and do
not plug in equipment that exceeds the maximum
amperage rating.
Certain electrical accessories may not be compatible
with the accessory power outlet and could result
in blown vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience a
problem, see your dealer for additional information
on the accessory power outlet.
Notice:Adding any electrical equipment to your
vehicle may damage it or keep other components
from working as they should. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Do not use equipment
exceeding maximum amperage rating. Check
with your dealer before adding electrical equipment.
3-16
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to be
impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you cannot see as well, you may need to
slow down and keep more space between you
and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
headlamps can light up only so much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But
as we get older these differences increase. A
50-year-old driver may require at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also affect your
night vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright
sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your
eyes will have less trouble adjusting to night. But if you
are driving, do not wear sunglasses at night. They
may cut down on glare from headlamps, but they also
make a lot of things invisible.
4-16
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as highway hypnosis?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the
wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Do
not let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can
leave the road in less than a second, and you could
crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service, or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from
driving in at or rolling terrain.
4-23
Lighting
Entry/Exit...................................................3-16
Limited-Slip Differential...................................... 4-9
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................4-30
Lockout Protection..........................................2-10
Locks
Automatic Door Locks.................................... 2-9
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-8
Door........................................................... 2-7
Lockout Protection.......................................2-10
Power Door.................................................. 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock.............. 2-9
Rear Door Security Locks............................... 2-9
Loss of Control...............................................4-14
Lumbar
Manual Controls............................................ 1-3
M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill........................................... 6-8
At Least Once a Month.................................. 6-9
At Least Once a Year.................................... 6-9
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record....................................6-15Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-14
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-8
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-12
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using.......................................................... 6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-30
Manual Lumbar Controls.................................... 1-3
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Manual Transaxle
Fluid..........................................................5-22
Operation...................................................2-24
Manual Windows............................................2-12
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-37
Mirror Reading Lamps.....................................3-16
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview........................2-32
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-32
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-33
Outside Manual Mirror..................................2-32
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-33
Outside Remote Control Mirror......................2-32
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
8
R
Radios..........................................................3-45
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-76
Care of Your CDs........................................3-76
Radio with CD............................3-46, 3-51, 3-60
Setting the Time for Radios with
Radio Data Systems (RDS).......................3-46
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS).......................3-45
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-74
Understanding Reception..............................3-75
Rear Door Security Locks.................................. 2-9
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-25
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-22
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming..................2-32
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-32
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-4
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-12
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-35
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-4
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire.............................................5-75
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-71
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-53Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-11
General Motors...........................................7-11
United States Government............................7-10
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-57
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..........................................1-58
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-19
Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts......1-22
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-6
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-30
Running the Engine While Parked.....................2-31
S
Safety Belt
Pretensioners..............................................1-27
Reminder Light............................................3-24
Safety Belts
Care of......................................................5-84
Driver Position............................................1-15
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-14
10