2007 CHEVROLET COBALT service

Seats and Restraint Systems
........................ 7
Front Seats
.............................................. 9
Rear Seats
............................................. 16
Safety Belts
............................................ 18
Child Restraints
...................................... 40
Airbag System
........................................ 68
Restraint System Check
......................... 84
Features and Controls
................................. 87
Keys
....................................................... 89
Doors and Locks
.................................... 98
Windows
............................................... 104
Theft-Deterrent Systems
....................... 107
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
..... 111
Mirrors
.................................................. 130
OnStar
®System
................................... 132
Storage Areas
...................................... 136
Sunroof
................................................ 137Instrument Panel
........................................ 139
Instrument Panel Overview
................... 142
Climate Controls
................................... 158
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
... 164
Driver Information Center (DIC)
............ 181
Audio System(s)
................................... 192
Driving Your Vehicle
.................................. 225
Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle
..................................... 226
Towing
................................................. 264
Service and Appearance Care
................... 277
Service
................................................. 280
Fuel
...................................................... 282
Checking Things Under the Hood
......... 288
Headlamp Aiming
................................. 328
Bulb Replacement
................................ 331
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
... 337
2007 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner ManualM
1

In many crashes severe enough to inate an airbag,
windshields are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may also occur
from the right front passenger airbag.
Airbags are designed to inate only once.
After an airbag inates, you will need some new
parts for the airbag system. If you do not get
them, the airbag system will not be there to help
protect you in another crash. A new system will
include airbag modules and possibly other
parts. The service manual for your vehicle
covers the need to replace other parts.
Your vehicle has a crash sensing and
diagnostic module which records information
after a crash. SeeVehicle Data Recording and
Privacy on page 432andEvent Data
Recorders on page 433.
Let only qualied technicians work on the
airbag system. Improper service can mean
that your airbag system will not work properly.
See your dealer/retailer for service.
Passenger Sensing System
If your vehicle has one of the indicators pictured in
the following illustrations, then your vehicle has
a passenger sensing system for the right front
passenger’s position. A passenger airbag status
indicator on the instrument panel will be visible
when you turn your ignition key to START or RUN.
The words ON and OFF, or the symbol for
ON and OFF, will be visible on the instrument
panel during the system check. When the system
check is complete, either the word ON or the
word OFF, or the symbol for ON or the symbol
for OFF will be visible. SeePassenger Airbag
Status Indicator on page 168.
United StatesCanada
77

If your vehicle does not have the passenger
sensing system, the right front passenger’s frontal
airbag will deploy in collisions that are severe
enough to deploy the frontal airbags, regardless
of the size of the occupant in the right front
passenger seat.
{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light in the
instrument panel cluster ever comes on
and stays on, it means that something may
be wrong with the airbag system. If this
ever happens, have the vehicle serviced
promptly, because an adult-size person
sitting in the right front passenger’s seat
may not have the protection of the
airbag(s). SeeAirbag Readiness Light on
page 167for more on this, including
important safety information.Aftermarket equipment, such as seat covers, can
affect how well the passenger sensing system
operates. You may want to consider not using seat
covers or other aftermarket equipment if your
vehicle has the passenger sensing system.
SeeAdding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 83for more information about
modications that can affect how the system
operates.{CAUTION:
Stowing of articles under the passenger’s
seat or between the passenger’s seat
cushion and seatback may interfere with
the proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
81

Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how your vehicle should be
serviced. There are parts of the airbag system in
several places around your vehicle. You do
not want the system to inate while someone is
working on your vehicle. Your dealer/retailer
and the service manual have information about
servicing your vehicle and the airbag system.
To purchase a service manual, seeService
Publications Ordering Information on page 430.
{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds, after the ignition is
turned off and the battery is disconnected,
an airbag can still inate during improper
service. You can be injured if you are
close to an airbag when it inates. Avoid
yellow connectors. They are probably part
of the airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and make sure
the person performing work for you is
qualied to do so.
The airbag system does not need regular
maintenance.
82

Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System
If the vehicle has the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
system, it 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 interference.
2. This device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
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 modications to this system by other
than an authorized service facility could void
authorization to use this equipment.At times you may notice a decrease in range. This
is normal for any RKE system. If the transmitter
does not work or if you have to stand closer
to your vehicle for the transmitter to work, try this:
Check the distance. You may be too far
from your vehicle. You may need to stand
closer during rainy or snowy weather.
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects
may be blocking the signal. Take a few steps
to the left or right, hold the transmitter
higher, and try again.
Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See “Battery Replacement”
underRemote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 92.
If you are still having trouble, see your
dealer/retailer or a qualied technician
for service.
91

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.
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 modications 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 has 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 comes on, the
key may have a damaged transponder. Turn the
ignition off and try again.
109

If the engine still does not start, and the key
appears to be undamaged, try another ignition
key. At this time, you may also want to check
the fuse, seeFuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 384. 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/retailer who can service the
PASS-Key
®III+ to have a new key made.
In an emergency, contact Roadside Assistance.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 420,
for more information.
It may be 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/retailer or a
locksmith who can service PASS-Key
®III+ to have
keys made and programmed to the system.
See your dealer/retailer 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.To program the new key:
1. Verify that the new key has a
1stamped
on it.
2. Insert the already programmed key in the
ignition and start the engine. If the engine
will not start, see your dealer/retailer for
service.
3. After the engine has started, turn the key to
LOCK, and remove the key.
4. Insert the key to be programmed and turn it to
the RUN position within ve seconds of the
original key being turned to the LOCK position.
The security light will turn off once the key
has been programmed.
5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 if additional keys
are to be programmed.
If you are ever driving and the security light comes
on and stays on, you may be able to restart
your engine if you turn it off. Your PASS-Key
®III+
system, however, is not working properly and
must be serviced by your dealer/retailer.
Your vehicle is not protected by the
PASS-Key
®III+ system at this time.
110

If you lose or damage your PASS-Key®III+ key,
see your dealer/retailer or a locksmith who can
service PASS-Key
®III+ to have a new key made.
Do not leave the key or device that disarms or
deactivates the theft deterrent system in the
vehicle.
Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an
elaborate break-in. But it will perform better in
the long run if you follow these guidelines:
Do not drive at any one constant speed,
fast or slow, for the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not make full-throttle starts. Do not
exceed 5,000 engine rpm. Avoid
downshifting to brake, or slow, the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
the new brake linings are not yet broken in.
Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every time
you get new brake linings.
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. See
Towing a Trailer (Manual Transaxle) on
page 267orTowing a Trailer (Automatic
Transaxle) on page 268for the trailer towing
capabilities of your vehicle and more
information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can
be gradually increased.
111