2009 CHEVROLET COBALT warning light

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

ESC (Electronic Stability Control) NOT
READY
If your vehicle has Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
this message may display briey after starting the
vehicle if the system’s sensors are not yet calibrated.
The system is not functional until the message stops
displaying. Adjust your driving accordingly. When the
message is no longer displayed, the system is
functional. SeeElectronic Stability Control (ESC) on
page 4-10for more information.
ESC (Electronic Stability Control) OFF
If your vehicle has Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
this message displays and the ESC/TCS light on
the instrument panel cluster comes on solid when
ESC is turned off. Adjust your driving accordingly.
SeeElectronic Stability Control (ESC) on page 4-10and
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control
System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light on page 3-33for
more information.
ICE POSSIBLE
This message displays when the outside air temperature
is cold enough to create icy road conditions. Adjust
your driving accordingly.
KEY FOB BATT (Battery) LOW
This message displays if the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter battery is low. Replace the battery in
the transmitter. See “Battery Replacement” under
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation on
page 2-5.
LEARN COMPLETE
On vehicles without the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
system, this message displays when the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS) has completed the tire
learning process. SeeTire Pressure Monitor System on
page 5-57for more information.
LOW FUEL
This message displays when your vehicle is low on fuel.
Rell the fuel tank as soon as possible. SeeFuel Gage
on page 3-39,Fuel on page 5-5, andFilling the Tank
on page 5-8for more information.
3-45

LOW TRACTION
If your vehicle has the Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
or Traction Control System (TCS), this message
displays and the ETS light or the ESC/TCS light on the
instrument panel cluster ashes when the system is
actively limiting wheel spin. Slippery road conditions
may exist if this message is displayed, so adjust
your driving accordingly. This message stays on for a
few seconds after the system stops limiting wheel spin.
SeeEnhanced Traction System (ETS) on page 4-9
orTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6
andEnhanced Traction System Warning Light on
page 3-32orElectronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction
Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light on
page 3-33for more information.
PARKING BRAKE
This message displays if the parking brake is left
engaged. SeeParking Brake on page 2-32for more
information.
POWER STEERING
This message displays if a problem has been detected
with the electric power steering. Have your vehicle
serviced by your dealer/retailer immediately.
SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays when there is a problem with the
airbag system. Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer immediately.
SERVICE ESC (ELECTRONIC STABILITY
CONTROL)
If your vehicle has Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
this message displays and a chime sounds if there has
been a problem detected with ESC. The ESC/TCS
light also appears on the instrument panel cluster.
This light stays on solid as long as the detected problem
remains present. When this message displays, the
system is not working. Adjust your driving accordingly.
SeeElectronic Stability Control (ESC) on page 4-10
andElectronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control
System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light on page 3-33
for more information.
If this message turns on while you are driving, pull off
the road as soon as possible and stop carefully.
Try resetting the system by turning the ignition off and
then back on. If this message still stays on or turns back
on again while you are driving, your vehicle needs
service. Have the ESC inspected by your dealer/retailer
as soon as possible.
3-46

SERVICE TRACTION
If your vehicle has the Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
or Traction Control System (TCS), this message
displays and a chime sounds when the system is not
functioning properly. The ETS light or the ESC/TCS light
also appears on the instrument panel cluster. This
light stays on solid as long as the detected problem
remains present. When this message displays, the
system is not working. Adjust your driving accordingly.
SeeEnhanced Traction System (ETS) on page 4-9
orTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6
andEnhanced Traction System Warning Light on
page 3-32orElectronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction
Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light on
page 3-33for more information. Have the system
serviced by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
SVC (Service) TIRE MONITOR
This message displays if a part on the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS) is not working properly.
The tire pressure light also ashes and then remains
on during the same ignition cycle. SeeTire Pressure
Light on page 3-34. Several conditions may cause this
message to appear. SeeTire Pressure Monitor
Operation on page 5-59for more information. If the
warning comes on and stays on, there may be a
problem with the TPMS. See your dealer/retailer.
TIRE LEARN ON
On vehicles without the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
system, this message displays when the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS) is re-learning the tire positions
on your vehicle. The tire positions must be re-learned
after rotating the tires or after replacing a tire or
sensor. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on page 5-63,
Tire Pressure Monitor System on page 5-57, and
Inflation - Tire Pressure on page 5-56for more
information.
3-47

TRACTION OFF
If your vehicle has the Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
or Traction Control System (TCS), this message
displays and the ETS light or the ESC/TCS light on
the instrument panel cluster comes on solid when the
system is turned off. Adjust your driving accordingly.
SeeEnhanced Traction System (ETS) on page 4-9or
Traction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6and
Enhanced Traction System Warning Light on page 3-32
orElectronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control
System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light on page 3-33for
more information.
TRUNK AJAR
This message displays when the trunk is not closed
completely. Make sure that the trunk is closed
completely. SeeTrunk on page 2-13.
DIC Vehicle Personalization
Your vehicle has personalization capabilities that allow
you to program certain features to a preferred setting.
All of the features listed may not be available on
your vehicle. Only the features available will be
displayed on the DIC.
The default settings for the features were set when your
vehicle left the factory, but may have been changed
from their default state since that time.
To change feature settings, use the following procedure:
Entering Personalization Menu
1. Turn the ignition on while the vehicle is stopped.
To avoid excessive drain on the battery, it is
recommended that the headlamps are turned off.
2. Press and hold the information and reset buttons at
the same time for one second, then release to enter
the personalization menu.
If the vehicle speed is greater than 2 mph (3 km/h),
only the UNITS menu will be accessible.
3. Press the information button to scroll through the
available personalization menu modes.
Press the reset button to scroll through the available
settings for each mode.
If you do not make a selection within ten seconds,
the display will go back to the previous information
displayed.
3-48

Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-31.
Braking action involves perception time and reaction
time. First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to bring
up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of
a second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or
more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol,
drugs, and frustration. But even in three-fourths of
a second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels
66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough space between your
vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road, whether it is pavement
or gravel; the condition of the road, whether it is wet,
dry, or icy; tire tread; the condition of the brakes; the
weight of the vehicle; and the amount of brake force
applied.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in
spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is
a mistake. The brakes might not have time to cool
between hard stops. The brakes will wear out much fasterif you do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace with the
traffic and allow realistic following distances, you will
eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That means better
braking and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are driving,
brake normally but do not pump the brakes. If you do,
the pedal could get harder to push down. If the
engine stops, you will still have some power brake
assist. But you will use it when you brake. Once the
power assist is used up, it can take longer to stop and
the brake pedal will be harder to push.
If your vehicle has Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
and the 2.0L turbocharged engine, it also has a
hydraulic brake boost feature which supplements the
power brake system to maintain consistent brake
performance under conditions of low brake booster
vacuum. Low brake booster vacuum conditions
can include initial start up after the vehicle has been
parked for several hours, very frequent brake stops, or
high altitude driving. When hydraulic brake boost is
active, you might feel minor brake pulsation or
movement but this is normal. If brake pedal feel changes
or the brake pedal feels hard to push, you might not
be receiving the intended brake boost and the SVC
BRAKE SYSTEM DIC message may be displayed.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.
4-4

Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle might have the Antilock Brake System
(ABS), an advanced electronic braking system that will
help prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has ABS,
this warning light on the
instrument panel will come
on briey when you
start your vehicle.
When you start the engine, or when you begin to drive
away, ABS will check itself. You might hear a
momentary motor or clicking noise while this test is
going on, and you might even notice that the brake
pedal moves or pulses a little. This is normal.
Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam
on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each wheel.ABS can change the brake pressure faster than any
driver could. The computer is programmed to make the
most of available tire and road conditions. This can
help you steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, the computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls braking pressure
accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change the time you need to
get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, you will not have time to apply the brakes if
that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you
have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let antilock work for you. You might feel
a slight brake pedal pulsation or notice some noise, but
this is normal.
4-5

This light ashes while the
traction control system is
limiting wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this is
normal.
SeeElectronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control
System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light on page 3-33
for more information.
If your vehicle is in cruise control while TCS begins to
limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. When road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, the cruise control can be re-engaged. See
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
When this light is on and
either the SERVICE
TRACTION or TRACTION
OFF message is displayed,
the system will not limit
wheel spin.Adjust your driving accordingly. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-43for more information.
The Traction Control System is automatically enabled
whenever you start your vehicle. To limit wheel spin,
especially in slippery road conditions, you should always
leave the system enabled. You can turn TCS off if you
ever need to.
It is recommended to leave the system on for normal
driving conditions, but it may be necessary to turn the
system off if your vehicle is stuck in sand, mud, ice or
snow, and you want to “rock” your vehicle to attempt to
free it. It may also be necessary to turn off the system
when driving in extreme off-road conditions where high
wheel spin is required. SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in
Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 4-26.
To turn the system off or
on, press and release the
ESC/TCS button located
on the instrument panel.
The DIC displays the appropriate message as described
previously when the button is pressed.
4-7