Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
..............................................1-10
Safety Belts
.............................................1-12
Child Restraints
.......................................1-32
Airbag System
.........................................1-53
Restraint System Check
............................1-68
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
...........2-17
Mirrors
....................................................2-33
OnStar
®System
......................................2-35
Storage Areas
.........................................2-37
Sunroof
..................................................2-38
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-17
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-22
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-38
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-48Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-36
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-46
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-49
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-55
Tires
......................................................5-56
Appearance Care
.....................................5-88
Vehicle Identi cation
.................................5-96
Electrical System
......................................5-97
Capacities and Speci cations
...................5-107
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-13
Index................................................................ 1
2006 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 Lock.......................................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..........................................2-13
Power Windows............................................2-13
Sun Visors...................................................2-13
Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-14
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-14
PASS-Key
®III+............................................2-15
PASS-Key®III+ Operation..............................2-16
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-17
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-17
Ignition Positions..........................................2-18
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)...................2-20
Starting the Engine.......................................2-20
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-22Automatic Transaxle Operation.......................2-23
Manual Transaxle Operation...........................2-26
Parking Brake..............................................2-27
Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle)......2-29
Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)................................2-30
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual Transaxle).........2-31
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-31
Engine Exhaust............................................2-32
Running the Engine While Parked...................2-32
Mirrors...........................................................2-33
Manual Rearview Mirror.................................2-33
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®.............................................2-33
Outside Manual Mirror...................................2-34
Outside Remote Control Mirror.......................2-34
Outside Power Mirrors...................................2-34
Outside Convex Mirror...................................2-35
OnStar
®System.............................................2-35
Storage Areas................................................2-37
Glove Box...................................................2-37
Cupholder(s)................................................2-37
Center Console Storage Area.........................2-37
Driver’s Storage Compartment........................2-37
Convenience Net..........................................2-37
Sunroof.........................................................2-38
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1
Q(Lock):Press the lock button to lock all the doors. If
enabled through the Driver Information Center (DIC), the
remote lock feedback can be programmed to have the
horn chirp and/or the parking lamps ash when the
remote keyless entry transmitter is used to lock the
vehicle’s doors. See “LOCK HORN” and “LIGHT FLASH”
underDIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-43for more
information.
Pressing the lock button may arm the content
theft-deterrent system. SeeContent Theft-Deterrent on
page 2-14.
"(Unlock):Press the unlock button one time to unlock
the driver’s door. Press the unlock button again within
ve seconds to unlock the other doors. The interior
lamps will come on and stay on for 20 seconds or until
the ignition is turned on. If enabled through the DIC,
the remote unlock feedback can be programmed to have
the horn chirp and/or the turn signal lamps ash when
the remote keyless entry transmitter is used to
unlock the vehicle’s doors. See “UNLOCK HORN” and
“LIGHT FLASH” underDIC Vehicle Personalization
on page 3-43for more information.If enabled through the DIC, and it is dark enough
outside, the vehicle’s high-beam headlamps and parking
lamps will come on each time the unlock button on
the transmitter is pressed. These exterior lamps will stay
on for 20 seconds, or until a door is opened. See
“EXT (Exterior) LIGHTS” underDIC Vehicle
Personalization on page 3-43.
Pressing the unlock button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter will disarm the content-theft deterrent
system. SeeContent Theft-Deterrent on page 2-14for
more details.V(Remote Trunk Release):The trunk will open
when this button on the transmitter is pressed and held
for approximately one second. You can open the
trunk with the transmitter when the vehicle is stationary.
L(Vehicle Locator/Panic Alarm):Press and
release this button to help locate your vehicle. The horn
will sound three times and the hazard lamps will ash
three times. Press and hold the button for three seconds
to sound the panic alarm. The horn will sound and the
hazard lamps will ash for 30 seconds. The ignition must
be off for the vehicle locator/remote alarm to work.
Press the vehicle locator/panic alarm button again or
turn the ignition to ACC (Accessory) or RUN to turn off
the alarm.
2-5
Visor Vanity Mirror
Your vehicle may have a driver’s side vanity mirror.
Swing down the sun visor and lift the cover to expose
the mirror.
Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal.
Content Theft-Deterrent
Your vehicle may have a
content theft-deterrent
alarm system.
Arming the System
With the ignition off, you can arm the system by doing
any one of the following:
Press the remote keyless entry transmitter lock
button.
Press the power door lock switch while the driver’s
door is open.
The system will arm after either of these things occur:
Thirty seconds after all the doors are closed.
Sixty seconds with any door open.
If you press the lock button on the transmitter a second
time while all the doors are closed, the system will
arm immediately. The system will still arm in 60 seconds
if a door is open. When the open door is closed, it will
also become armed.
The security light, located on the instrument panel
cluster, will turn on to indicate that arming has been
initiated. Once the system is armed, the security light will
ash once every three seconds.
If the security light is ashing twice per second, this
means that a door is open.
If you do not want to arm the system, you may lock the
car with the manual lock knobs on the doors.
2-14
Disarming the System
You can disarm the system by doing any one of the
following:
Press the remote keyless entry transmitter unlock
button.
Turn the ignition on.
If the system is armed and the trunk is opened using
the trunk release button on the transmitter, the system
will temporarily disarm itself and re-arm when the
trunk has been closed. This allows you to exit the
vehicle, lock the doors using the transmitter, and open
the trunk using the transmitter without having to
disarm and re-arm the system.
Once the system is disarmed, the security light will stop
ashing.
How the System Alarm is Activated
If the system is armed, it can be activated by either:
Opening the driver’s door or trunk. This will
cause a ten second pre-alarm chirp followed by a
thirty second full alarm of horn and lights.
Opening any other door. This will immediately
cause a full alarm of horn and lights for
thirty seconds.
When an alarm event has nished, the system will
re-arm itself automatically.
How to Turn Off the System Alarm
To turn off the system alarm, do one of the following:
Press the lock button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter. The system will then re-arm itself.
Press the unlock button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter. This will also disarm the system.
Insert the key in the ignition and turn it on. This will
also disarm the system.
How to Detect a Tamper Condition
If you hear three chirps when you press the unlock, lock,
or trunk release buttons on the remote keyless
transmitter, it means that the content theft security
system alarm was previously activated.
PASS-Key®III+
The PASS-Key®III+ system operates on a radio
frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules and with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
2-15
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Changes or modi cations to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
PASS-Key
®III+ uses a radio frequency transponder in
the key that matches a decoder in your vehicle.
PASS-Key®III+ Operation
Your vehicle is equipped with PASS-Key®III+
(Personalized Automotive Security System)
theft-deterrent system. PASS-Key
®III+ is a passive
theft-deterrent system. This means you do not have to
do anything special to arm or disarm the system. It
works when you insert or remove the key from
the ignition.
When the PASS-Key
®III+ system senses that someone
is using the wrong key, it prevents the vehicle from
starting. Anyone using a trial-and-error method to start
the vehicle will be discouraged because of the high
number of electrical key codes.When trying to start the vehicle if the engine does not
start and the security light on the instrument panel
cluster comes on, the key may have a damaged
transponder. Turn the ignition off and try again.
If the engine still does not start, and the key appears to be
not damaged, try another ignition key. At this time, you
may also want to check the fuse, seeFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 5-98. If the engine still does not start
with the other key, your vehicle needs service. If your
vehicle does start, the rst key may be faulty. See your
dealer who can service the PASS-Key
®III+ to have a
new key made. In an emergency, contact Roadside
Assistance. SeeRoadside Assistance Program on
page 7-6.
It is possible for the PASS-Key
®III+ decoder to “learn”
the transponder value of a new or replacement key.
Up to 10 keys may be programmed for the vehicle. The
following procedure is for programming additional keys
only. If all the currently programmed keys are lost or do
not operate, you must see your dealer or a locksmith who
can service PASS-Key
®III+ to have keys made and
programmed to the system.
See your dealer or a locksmith who can service
PASS-Key
®III+ to get a new key blank that is cut
exactly as the ignition key that operates the system.
2-16
Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition switch, you can turn it to
four different positions.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage or break the
key. Use the correct key and turn the key only with
your hand. Make sure the key is all the way in. If
it is, turn the steering wheel left and right while you
turn the key hard. If none of this works, then
your vehicle needs service.
9(LOCK):This position locks your steering column.
It is a theft-deterrent feature. You will only be able
to remove your key when the ignition is turned to LOCK.
If you have an automatic transaxle, the ignition switch
cannot be turned to LOCK unless the shift lever is
in PARK (P).
If you have a manual transaxle, the ignition switch can
be turned to LOCK in any shift lever position.
{CAUTION:
If you have a manual transaxle removing the key
from the ignition switch will lock the steering
column and result in a loss of ability to steer the
vehicle. This could cause a collision. If you need
to turn the engine off while the vehicle is
moving, turn the key to ACC.
ACC (ACCESSORY):This position operates some of
your electrical accessories. It unlocks the steering wheel
and ignition.
2-18
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-38
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-38
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-40
DIC Vehicle Personalization............................3-43
Audio System(s).............................................3-48
Setting the Time...........................................3-49
Radio with CD (Uplevel)................................3-50
Radio with CD (MP3)....................................3-57Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-70
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.......................3-71
Radio Reception...........................................3-71
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-72
Care of the CD Player...................................3-72
Fixed Mast Antenna......................................3-73
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System.............3-73
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2