2008 CHEVROLET COBALT brake

Parking Brake
The parking brake lever is located between the
front seats.
For vehicles equipped with an armrest, lift the console
armrest in order to access the parking brake lever.To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down
and pull up on the parking brake lever. If the ignition
is on, the brake system warning light will come on.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-31.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down. Pull the parking brake lever up until you can press
the release button. Hold the release button in as you
move the brake lever all the way down.
If you forget to release your parking brake, a chime
will sound and the PARKING BRAKE message
will appear along with the brake system warning light
when the parking brake is applied and the vehicle
is moving faster than 5 mph (8 km/h). SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-43.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Make sure
that the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving. Automatic Shown, Manual Similar
2-32

Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will
not move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer (Manual
Transmission) on page 4-34orTowing a
Trailer (Automatic Transmission) on page 4-34.To shift into PARK (P), do the following:
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot
and set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-32for more information.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding in
the button on the shift lever and pushing the lever
all the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the key in your hand,
your vehicle is in PARK (P).
2-33

Leaving Your Vehicle
With the Engine Running
(Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle
with the engine running. Your vehicle could
move suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your automatic transmission vehicle
with the engine running, be sure your vehicle is in
PARK (P) and your parking brake is rmly set before
you leave it. After you have moved the shift lever
into PARK (P), hold the regular brake pedal down.Then, see if you can move the shift lever away from
PARK (P) without rst pulling it toward you. If you can,
it means that the shift lever was not fully locked into
PARK (P).
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift into
PARK (P) properly, the weight of the vehicle may put
too much force on the parking pawl in the transmission.
You may nd it difficult to pull the shift lever out of
PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.” To prevent torque
lock, set the parking brake and then shift into PARK (P)
properly before you leave the driver’s seat. To nd
out how, seeShifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-33.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission,
so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
2-34

Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift
lever is in PARK (P) with the shift lever button
fully released, and
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of
PARK (P) unless the ignition is in ON/RUN or
ACC/ACCESSORY and the regular brake pedal
is applied.
The shift lock release is always functional except in the
case of a an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt)
battery.
If your vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery
with low voltage, try charging or jump starting the
battery. SeeJump Starting on page 5-34for more
information.To shift out of PARK (P):
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Then press the shift lever button.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still are unable to shift out of PARK (P):
1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the
shift lever button again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from PARK (P),
consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service.
Parking Your Vehicle
Before leaving your vehicle, fully press the clutch pedal
down, move the shift lever into REVERSE (R), and
rmly apply the parking brake. Once the shift lever has
been placed in REVERSE (R) with the clutch pedal
pressed down, you can turn the ignition key to OFF/
LOCK, remove the key and release the clutch pedal.
SeeManual Transmission Operation on page 2-30.
2-35

Running the Vehicle While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust
into your vehicle. See the earlier caution
underEngine Exhaust on page 2-36.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle
even if the climate control fan is at the highest
setting. One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 4-21.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, always
set the parking brake and move the shift lever
to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will
not move. SeeShifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-33.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer (Manual Transmission)
on page 4-34orTowing a Trailer (Automatic
Transmission) on page 4-34.
2-37

Brake System Warning Light..........................3-31
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light. . . .3-32
Enhanced Traction System Indicator/
Warning Light...........................................3-32
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction
Control System (TCS) Indicator/
Warning Light...........................................3-33
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light......3-34
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-34
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-35
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-38
Security Light...............................................3-38
Fog Lamp Light............................................3-39
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-39
Fuel Gage...................................................3-39Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-40
DIC Operation and Displays...........................3-40
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-43
DIC Vehicle Personalization............................3-48
Audio System(s).............................................3-54
Setting the Clock..........................................3-55
Radio(s)......................................................3-58
Using an MP3..............................................3-69
XM Radio Messages.....................................3-74
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-75
Audio Steering Wheel Controls.......................3-76
Radio Reception...........................................3-76
Fixed Mast Antenna......................................3-77
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System.............3-77
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

RES+ (Resume):Press this button to resume a set
speed and to accelerate the speed.
SET– (Set):Press this button to set a speed and to
decrease the speed.
To set a speed do the following:
1. Press the
Jbutton to turn cruise control on.
The indicator light on the button will come on.
2. Get to the speed desired.
3. Press the SET– part of the control button and
release it. The CRUISE ENGAGED message
will appear on the Driver Information Center (DIC)
to show the system is engaged.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose the cruise control is set at a desired speed
and then the brake is applied. This disengages the
cruise control. To return to the previously set speed, you
do not need to go through the set process again.
Once the vehicle is traveling at least 25 mph (40 km/h)
or more, press the RES+ part of the button briey.
The vehicle returns to the previously selected speed and
stays there.
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed.
1. Disengage the cruise control by applying the brake
pedal, but do not turn it off. Accelerate to a higher
speed and reset the cruise control.
2. If the cruise control system is already engaged,
press the RES+ part of the button. Hold it there
until you get up to the speed desired, and then
release the button. To increase the vehicle speed in
very small amounts, press the RES+ part of the
button briey and then release it. Each time this
is done, the vehicle goes about 1 mph (1.6 km/h)
faster.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
If the cruise control system is already engaged,
Push and hold the SET– part of the button until the
lower speed desired is reached, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, push the
SET– part of the button briey. Each time this
is done, the vehicle goes about 1 mph (1.6 km/h)
slower.
3-11

Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase the vehicle’s speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, the vehicle will slow
down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control will work on hills depends
upon the vehicle speed, load, and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you might have to
step on the accelerator pedal to maintain the vehicle’s
speed. When going downhill, you might have to brake or
shift to a lower gear to keep the vehicle’s speed
down. Applying the brake will turn off the cruise control.
Many drivers nd this to be too much trouble and do
not use cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to end cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal or the clutch pedal if
the vehicle has a manual transmission. This will
only end the current cruise control session.
Press the cruise controlJon/off button to turn the
system completely off.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed memory is erased when
the cruise control or the ignition is turned off.
Headlamps
The lever on the left side of the steering column
operates the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp switch has the following four positions:
2(Headlamps):Turn the switch to this position to
turn on the headlamps, parking lamps, and taillamps.
;(Parking Lamps):Turn the switch to this position to
turn on the parking lamps and taillamps only.
AUTO (Automatic Headlamp System):Turn the
switch to this position to automatically turn on the
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) during daytime, and
the headlamps, parking lamps, and taillamps at night.
3-12