2008 CHEVROLET COBALT parking brake

Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-20.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid level in the windshield
washer uid reservoir and add the proper uid if
necessary.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Inspect your vehicle’s tires and make sure they are
inated to the correct pressures. Do not forget to check
the spare tire. SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-56. Check to make sure the spare tire is stored
securely. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-74.
Tire Wear Inspection
Tire rotation may be required for high mileage highway
drivers prior to the Engine Oil Life System service
notication. Check the tires for wear and, if necessary,
rotate the tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-63.
At Least Once a Year
Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-32.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. On automatic transmission vehicles, try to start the
engine in each gear. The vehicle should start only
in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). If the vehicle starts in
any other position, contact your dealer/retailer for
service.
On manual transmission vehicles, put the shift lever
in NEUTRAL, push the clutch pedal down halfway,
and try to start the engine. The vehicle should start
only when the clutch pedal is pushed down all the
way to the oor. If the vehicle starts when the clutch
pedal is not pushed all the way down, contact your
dealer/retailer for service.
6-9

Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-32.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition to ON/RUN,
but do not start the engine. Without applying the
regular brake, try to move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK (P), contact your dealer/retailer
for service.
Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition to LOCK/OFF in each shift lever position.
With an automatic transmission, the ignition
should turn to LOCK/OFF only when the shift lever
is in PARK (P). The ignition key should come
out only in LOCK/OFF.
With a manual transmission, the ignition key should
come out only in LOCK/OFF.
Turn the steering wheel to the left and to the right.
It should only lock when turned to the right. Contact your
dealer/retailer if service is required.
6-10

Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission Park (P) Mechanism
Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake,
set the parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability:
With the engine running and transmission in
NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to PARK (P). Then
release the parking brake followed by the regular
brake.
Contact your dealer/retailer if service is required.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to ush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
6-11

Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part
number, or specication can be obtained from your
dealer/retailer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil which meets
GM Standard GM6094M and
displays the American Petroleum
Institute Certied for Gasoline
Engines starburst symbol.
To determine the proper viscosity
for your vehicle’s engine,
seeEngine Oil on page 5-13.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-20.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Hydraulic
Brake SystemDelco
®Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake uid.
Hydraulic
Clutch SystemDelco
®Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake uid.
Windshield
WasherOptikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Parking Brake
Cable GuidesChassis Lubricant
(GM Part No. 12377985,
in Canada 88901242) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Manual
TransmissionDEXRON
®-VI Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON
®-VI Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
6-12

Audio System.................................................3-54
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-76
Fixed Mast Antenna.....................................3-77
Radio Reception..........................................3-76
Setting the Clock.........................................3-55
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-75
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-77
Audio System(s).............................................3-58
Automatic Door Lock.......................................2-11
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-19
Operation...................................................2-28
B
Battery..........................................................5-34
Electric Power Management..........................3-15
Run-Down Protection...................................3-16
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-6
Brakes..........................................................5-31
System Warning Light..................................3-31
Braking........................................................... 4-4
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-6Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-21
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-42
Back-Up Lamps...........................................5-46
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-44
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-42
Headlamp Aiming........................................5-39
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps..................................5-42
License Plate Lamps....................................5-47
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-47
Taillamps and Turn Signal Lamps..................5-44
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps........................................5-45
Buying New Tires...........................................5-66C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements....... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-112
Carbon Monoxide...................2-13, 2-36, 4-21, 4-34
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-98
2

Mirrors (cont.)
Outside Manual Mirror..................................2-38
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-39
Outside Remote Control Mirror......................2-38
MP3 .............................................................3-69
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
N
Navigation System, Privacy..............................7-18
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-21
O
Odometer......................................................3-25
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-15
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-13
Pressure Light.............................................3-38
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-16
Older Children, Restraints................................1-30
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-4
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-18
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual...............2-40
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6Outlet Adjustment............................................3-21
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-16
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-39
Manual Mirror.............................................2-38
Power Mirrors.............................................2-39
Remote Control Mirror..................................2-38
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage..............................................5-102
Park Brake....................................................2-32
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-33
Shifting Out of............................................2-35
Parking
Over Things That Burn.................................2-36
Parking Your Vehicle.......................................2-35
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-28
Passenger Compartment Air Filter.....................3-21
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-61
Passing.........................................................4-15
9