2008 CHEVROLET COBALT transmission

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

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Side Window Outlets. SeeClimate Control System
on page 3-18.
B. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-21.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
D. Cruise Control Buttons (If Equipped). SeeCruise
Control on page 3-10. Driver Information Control
Buttons. SeeDriver Information Center (DIC)
on page 3-40.
E. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-24.
F. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped).
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-76.
G. Hazard Warning Flashers Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
H. Windshield Wiper/Washer Controls. SeeWindshield
Wipers on page 3-8andWindshield Washer on
page 3-9.
I. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-54.
J. Fog Lamp Button (If Equipped). SeeFog Lamps
on page 3-14.K. Trunk Release. SeeTrunk on page 2-13.
L. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. SeeInstrument
Panel Brightness on page 3-14.
M. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
N. Traction Control System Button (If Equipped).
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6.
Electronic Stability Control Button (If Equipped).
SeeElectronic Stability Control (ESC) on page 4-10.
O. Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped). SeeAshtray(s)
and Cigarette Lighter on page 3-17.
P. Shift Lever (Manual Shown). SeeManual
Transmission Operation on page 2-30and
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 2-28.
Q. Climate Controls. SeeClimate Control System
on page 3-18.
R. Heated Seats Button (If Equipped). SeeHeated
Seats on page 1-4.
S. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-43.
3-5

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

This position must be selected in order for the Wiper
Activated Headlamps to be activated. SeeWiper
Activated Headlamps on page 3-13.
P(Off/On):When operating in AUTO, a momentary
turn of the switch to Off/On will turn the Automatic
Headlamp System off or back on. For vehicles rst sold
in Canada, the transmission must be in the PARK (P)
position, before the Automatic Headlamp System can be
turned off.
Wiper Activated Headlamps
This feature activates the headlamps and parking lamps
after the windshield wipers are turned on. For this
feature to work, automatic lighting must be enabled.
SeeHeadlamps on page 3-12for additional information.
When the ignition is turned off, the wiper-activated
headlamps will immediately turn off. They will also turn
off 15 seconds after the windshield wiper control is
turned off.
Headlamps on Reminder
If the driver’s door is opened with the ignition off and
the lamps on, a warning chime will sound. This lets you
know that the headlamps are still on.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional
daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles
rst sold in Canada. The vehicle has a light sensor on
top of the instrument panel. Make sure it is not covered,
or the head lamps will be on when not needed.
The DRL system will make the headlamps come on
when the following conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamps control is in AUTO or the
parking lamps only position.
The light sensor detects daytime light.
The parking brake is released.
When the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker
lamps, parking lamps, and instrument panel lights
will not be illuminated unless you have turned the
exterior lamps control to the parking lamp position.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
3-13

Instrument Panel Cluster
Your instrument panel cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your vehicle is running. You will know how
fast you are going, about how much fuel is left in the tank, and many other things you will need to drive safely and
economically.
United States Sport Cluster Manual Transmission shown, Canada, Base and Automatic Transmission similar
3-24

Charging System Light
This light will come on
briey when you turn on
the ignition, and the engine
is not running, as a check
to show it is working.
Then it should go out when
the engine is started.
If the light stays on, or comes on while you are driving,
you may have a problem with the electrical charging
system. Have it checked by your dealer/retailer.
Driving while this light is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on,
be sure to turn off all accessories, such as the radio and
air conditioner.
Up-Shift Light
Your vehicle may have
an up-shift light.
When this light comes on, you should shift to the next
higher gear if weather, road, and traffic conditions
allow you to.
SeeManual Transmission Operation on page 2-30for
more information.
3-30

When the Light Flashes First and Then
is Solid
This indicates that there may be a problem with the
Tire Pressure Monitor System. The light ashes
for about a minute and stays on solid for the remainder
of the ignition cycle. This sequence will repeat with
every ignition cycle. SeeTire Pressure Monitor System
on page 5-57for more information.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
A computer system called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) monitors operation of
the fuel, ignition, and emission control systems. It makes
sure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the
life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment.
The check engine light
comes on to indicate that
there is an OBD II
problem and service is
required.Malfunctions often are indicated by the system before
any problem is apparent. This can prevent more serious
damage to your vehicle. This system is also designed
to assist your service technician in correctly diagnosing
any malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after a while, the emission controls
might not work as well, your vehicle’s fuel economy
might not be as good, and the engine might not
run as smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs
that might not be covered by your warranty.
Notice:Modications made to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of
your vehicle or the replacement of the original tires
with other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle’s emission
controls and can cause this light to come on.
Modications to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. This could
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3.
3-35

COOLING MODE ON
This message may display on some vehicles. Under
severe conditions, hot ambient temperatures, steep
grades, and towing, your vehicle may experience more
transmission shifting. This is temporary and normal
under these conditions. This does not require engine or
transmission service.
CRUISE ENGAGED
This message displays when the cruise control system
is active. SeeCruise Control on page 3-10for more
information.
DOOR AJAR
This message displays if one or more of the vehicle’s
doors are not closed properly. Make sure that the
door(s) are closed completely.
ENGINE DISABLED
This message displays if the starting of the engine
is disabled. Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer immediately.
ENG (Engine) PWR (Power) REDUCED
This message displays to inform you that the vehicle
has reduced engine power to avoid damaging the
engine. Reduced engine power can affect the vehicle’s
ability to accelerate. If this message is on, but there
is no reduction in performance, proceed to your
destination. The performance may be reduced the next
time the vehicle is driven. The vehicle may be driven
at a reduced speed while this message is on, but
acceleration and speed may be reduced. Anytime this
message stays on, the vehicle should be taken to
your dealer/retailer for service as soon as possible.
ESC (Electronic Stability Control) ACTIVE
If your vehicle has Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
this message displays and the ESC/TCS light on
the instrument panel cluster ashes when ESC is
assisting you with directional control of the vehicle.
You may feel or hear the system working and see this
message displayed in the DIC. Slippery road conditions
may exist when this message is displayed, so adjust
your driving accordingly. This message may stay on for
a few seconds after ESC stops assisting you with
directional control of the vehicle. This is normal when
the system is operating. SeeElectronic Stability Control
(ESC) on page 4-10andElectronic Stability Control
(ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning
Light on page 3-33for more information.
3-44