Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-9
Safety Belts
.............................................1-10
Child Restraints
.......................................1-30
Airbag System
.........................................1-53
Restraint System Check
............................1-68
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Doors and Locks
......................................2-10
Windows
.................................................2-15
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-18
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-21
Mirrors
....................................................2-38
OnStar
®System
......................................2-40
Storage Areas
.........................................2-43
Sunroof
..................................................2-44
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-18
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-23
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................3-40
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-54Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-32
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-39
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-42
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-48
Tires
......................................................5-49
Appearance Care
.....................................5-95
Vehicle Identi cation
...............................5-104
Electrical System
....................................5-105
Capacities and Speci cations
...................5-112
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information.................... 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-15
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy
...........7-17
Index................................................................ 1
2008 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner ManualM
Heated Seats
Your vehicle may have heated front seats. The switches
are located on the instrument panel above the climate
control system.
Press the side of the
switch with the double
indicator lights to turn on
the heated seat at the
highest setting.
Both indicator lights will be lit to indicate that the setting
is on high. Press the side of the switch with the single
indicator light to go to the low setting. The indicator light
will be lit to indicate that the setting is on low. Return
the switch to the center to turn off the heated seat.
If your vehicle has been turned off, the last heated seat
setting will be retained when the vehicle is started again.
Reclining Seatbacks
{CAUTION:
You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to
adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle
is moving. The sudden movement could startle
and confuse you, or make you push a pedal
when you do not want to. Adjust the driver’s
seat only when the vehicle is not moving.
{CAUTION:
If the seatback is not locked, it could move
forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always
push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is
locked. Driver’s Switch Shown,
Passenger’s Switch
Similar
1-4
If enabled through the DIC, and it is dark enough outside,
the vehicle’s high-beam headlamps, parking lamps,
and back-up lamps will turn on each time
Kon 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 3-48
Pressing
Kon the RKE transmitter will disarm
the content theft-deterrent system. SeeContent
Theft-Deterrent on page 2-18
V(Remote Trunk Release):Press and holdVfor
approximately one second to open the trunk. The trunk
will open using the transmitter when the vehicle speed is
less than 2 mph (3 km/h), when the ignition is off, or when
the vehicle shift lever is in PARK (P), if your vehicle has
an automatic transmission.
L(Vehicle Locator/Panic Alarm):PressLto locate
your vehicle. The horn will sound three times and the
headlamps and turn signals will ash three times.
Press and hold
Lfor approximately three seconds to
sound the panic alarm. The horn will sound and the
headlamps and turn signals will ash for 30 seconds.
Press
Lagain to cancel the panic alarm.
Matching Transmitter(s) to
Your Vehicle
Each RKE transmitter is coded to prevent another
transmitter from unlocking your vehicle. If a transmitter
is lost or stolen, a replacement can be purchased
through your dealer/retailer. All transmitters need to
be re-coded to match the new transmitter. The
lost transmitter will no longer work after the new
transmitters are re-coded. Each vehicle can have
up to four transmitters matched to it.
Battery Replacement
Replace the battery if the KEY FOB BATT LOW
message displays in the DIC. See “KEY FOB BATT
LOW” underDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-43
Notice:When replacing the battery, use care not
to touch any of the circuitry. Static from your body
transferred to these surfaces may damage the
transmitter.
2-6
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.
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.
2-19
{CAUTION:
If you have a manual transmission 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/ACCESSORY.
ACC (ACC/ACCESSORY):This position operates
some of your electrical accessories. It unlocks the
steering wheel and ignition.
R(ON/RUN):This is the position the switch returns
to after you start your engine and release the switch.
The switch stays in the ON/RUN position when the
engine is running. But even when the ignition is
not running, you can use ON/RUN to operate your
electrical accessories and to display some warning
and indicator lights.The battery could be drained if you leave the key in
the ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN position with
the engine off. You may not be able to start your
vehicle if the battery is allowed to drain for an extended
period of time.
/(START):This position starts the engine. When
the engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch
will return to ON/RUN for normal driving.
A warning tone will sound if you open the driver’s door
while in LOCK/OFF or ACC/ACCESSORY, when
the key has not been removed from the ignition.
Key In the Ignition
Never leave your vehicle with the keys inside, as it is
an easy target for joy riders or thieves. If you leave the
key in the ignition and park your vehicle, a chime will
sound, when you open the driver’s door. Always
remember to remove your key from the ignition and take
it with you. This will lock your ignition and transmission.
Also, always remember to lock the doors.
The battery could be drained if you leave the key in the
ignition while your vehicle is parked. You may not be
able to start your vehicle after it has been parked for
an extended period of time.
2-23
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
When you are sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Grip the mirror in the center to move it up
or down and side to side. The day/night adjustment
allows you to adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the
lamps behind you. Push the tab forward for daytime use
and pull it for nighttime use.
The mirror may have lights located on the bottom of the
mirror. Press the button next to each light to turn it
on or off.
Manual Rearview Mirror
with OnStar
®
If your vehicle has this mirror, it has a lever located at
the bottom of the mirror. The lever is used to change the
mirror from the day to the night position. To reduce
glare from headlamps behind you while driving at night,
pull the lever toward you. To return the mirror to the
day position, return the lever to its original position.
There may be two reading lamps located on the bottom
of the mirror. Press the button next to each lamp to
turn it on and off.There are also OnStar
®buttons located at the bottom
of the mirror face. See your dealer/retailer for more
information on the system and how to subscribe
to OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-40for
more information about the services OnStar®provides.
Outside Manual Mirror
Adjust your outside mirror so you can just see the side of
your vehicle and have a clear view of objects behind you.
The mirror can be folded in to enter narrow areas.
Outside Remote Control Mirror
Adjust the driver’s outside mirror with the control
lever located on the driver’s door. Adjust the outside
mirrors so that the side of the vehicle can be seen
while sitting in a comfortable driving position.
To adjust the passenger’s outside mirror, sit in the
driver’s seat and have a passenger adjust the mirror
for you. The mirror is a manual fold design.
2-38
Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-7
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-8
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-8
Windshield Washer.........................................3-9
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Headlamps..................................................3-12
Wiper Activated Headlamps............................3-13
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-13
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-13
Fog Lamps..................................................3-14
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-14
Dome Lamp.................................................3-15Entry/Exit Lighting.........................................3-15
Mirror Reading Lamps...................................3-15
Electric Power Management...........................3-15
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-16
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-16
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-17
Climate Controls............................................3-18
Climate Control System.................................3-18
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-21
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-21
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-23
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-24
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-25
Tachometer.................................................3-25
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-26
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-27
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-28
Charging System Light..................................3-30
Up-Shift Light...............................................3-30
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1
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