2008 CHEVROLET COBALT washer fluid

Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet weather driving tips
include:
Allow extra following distance.
Pass with caution.
Keep windshield wiping equipment in good shape.
Keep the windshield washer uid reservoir lled.
Have good tires with proper tread depth. SeeTires
on page 5-49.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
To prepare your vehicle for a long trip, consider having
it serviced by your dealer/retailer before departing.
Things to check on your own include:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Reservoir full? Windows
clean — inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:In good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:All levels checked?
Lamps:Do they all work and are lenses clean?
Tires:Are treads good? Are tires inated to
recommended pressure?
Weather and Maps:Safe to travel? Have
up-to-date maps?
4-19

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-16
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-18
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-19
Manual Transmission Fluid.............................5-19
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-20
Engine Coolant.............................................5-20Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-23
Engine Overheating.......................................5-23
Cooling System............................................5-25
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-30
Brakes........................................................5-31
Battery........................................................5-34
Jump Starting...............................................5-34
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-39
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-42
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-42
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps....................................5-42
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-44
Taillamps and Turn Signal Lamps (Coupe).......5-44
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps (Sedan).............................5-45
Back-Up Lamps (Coupe)................................5-46
License Plate Lamp......................................5-47
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-47
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-48
Tires..............................................................5-49
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................5-50
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-53
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-56
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................5-57
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18.
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-13.
C. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 5-13.
D. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 5-31andHydraulic Clutch
on page 5-20.
E. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 5-108.
F. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting
on page 5-34.
G. Remote Negative (−) Terminal. SeeJump Starting
on page 5-34.
H. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeCooling System
on page 5-25.
I. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-30.Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down and check the level.
5-13

Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer uid, be sure to
read the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you
will be operating your vehicle in an area where the
temperature may fall below freezing, use a uid that
has sufficient protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer uid until the
tank is full. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for reservoir
location.Notice:
When using concentrated washer uid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer uid.
Water can cause the solution to freeze and
damage your washer uid tank and other parts
of the washer system. Also, water does not
clean as well as washer uid.
Fill the washer uid tank only three-quarters
full when it is very cold. This allows for uid
expansion if freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in your
windshield washer. It can damage the vehicle’s
windshield washer system and paint.
5-30

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

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

E
Easy Entry Seat............................................... 1-8
EDR .............................................................7-17
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment.....................................5-105
Engine Compartment Fuse Block.................5-108
Floor Console Fuse Block...........................5-106
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-106
Headlamp Wiring.......................................5-105
Power Windows and Other Power Options.......5-105
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-105
Electronic Stability Control................................4-10
Electronic Stability Control Indicator Light...........3-33
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-18
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-35
Coolant......................................................5-20
Coolant Heater............................................2-27
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-34
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-15
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-36
Oil .............................................................5-13
Oil Life System...........................................5-16
Overheating................................................5-23
Starting......................................................2-25Enhanced Traction System (ETS)........................ 4-9
Indicator/Warning Light.................................3-32
Entry/Exit Lighting...........................................3-15
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-17
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-29
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-18
Finish Damage.............................................5-102
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-77
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-73
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-74
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-93
Fluid.............................................................5-20
Automatic Transmission................................5-19
Windshield Washer......................................5-30
Fog Lamp
Fog ...........................................................3-14
Fog Lamp Light..............................................3-39
Folding Rear Seat............................................ 1-9
5

Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-70
Different Size..............................................5-68
Replacement...............................................5-70
Where to Put the Restraint...............................1-38
Windows.......................................................2-15
Manual......................................................2-15
Power........................................................2-16
Windshield
Washer........................................................ 3-9
Washer Fluid..............................................5-30
Wiper Blade Replacement.............................5-48
Wiper Blades, Cleaning..............................5-100
Wiper Fuses.............................................5-105
Wipers......................................................... 3-8Winter Driving................................................4-21
Wiper Activated Headlamps..............................3-13
X
XM Radio Messages.......................................3-74
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System................3-77
Y
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................... 6-2
14