2009 CHEVROLET COBALT wheel

Storing a Radio Station as a Favorite
Drivers are encouraged to set up their radio station
favorites while the vehicle is parked. Tune to your
favorite stations using the presets, favorites button, and
steering wheel controls if the vehicle has this feature.
SeeDefensive Driving on page 4-2.
FAV (Favorites):A maximum of 36 stations can be
programmed as favorites using the six pushbuttons
positioned below the radio station frequency labels and
by using the radio favorites page button (FAV button).
Press the FAV button to go through up to six pages
of favorites, each having six favorite stations available
per page. Each page of favorites can contain any
combination of AM, FM, or XM™ (if equipped) stations.
To store a station as a favorite, perform the following
steps:
1. Tune to the desired radio station.
2. Press the FAV button to display the page where
you want the station stored.
3. Press and hold one of the six pushbuttons until a
beep sounds. When that pushbutton is pressed
and released, the station that was set, returns.
4. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton radio station
you want stored as a favorite.The number of favorites pages can be setup using
the MENU button. To setup the number of favorites
pages, perform the following steps:
1. Press the MENU button to display the radio
setup menu.
2. Press the pushbutton located below the FAV 1
through 6 label.
3. Select the desired number of favorites pages by
pressing the pushbutton located below the
displayed page numbers.
4. Press the FAV button, or let the menu time out,
to return to the original main radio screen showing
the radio station frequency labels and to begin
the process of programming your favorites for the
chosen amount of numbered pages.
3-61

Audio Steering Wheel Controls
Radio controls are located
on the inboard side of the
steering wheel. If your
vehicle has this feature,
some audio controls
can be adjusted at this
location. They include the
following:
wx(Previous/Next):Press the arrows to go to the
previous or to the next stored radio station and stay there.
Press and hold the arrows longer than three-quarters of a
second to advance to the previous or to the next station
with a strong signal in the selected band.
When a CD is playing, press the arrows to go to the
previous or to the next track. Press and hold the arrows
longer than three-quarters of a second to continue
reversing back or advancing ahead, to other tracks within
the disc.
e+e−(Volume):Press the plus or minus button to
increase or to decrease the radio volume.
g(Mute/Voice Activation):Press this button to
silence the system. Press this button again to turn the
sound on. If your vehicle has OnStar
®, press and
hold this button for two seconds to activate voice on
the OnStar
®system. See theOnStar®System on
page 2-40in this manual for more information.
Radio Reception
Frequency interference and static can occur during
normal radio reception if items such as cell phone
chargers, vehicle convenience accessories, and external
electronic devices are plugged into the accessory
power outlet. If there is interference or static, unplug the
item from the accessory power outlet.
AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM,
especially at night. The longer range can cause
station frequencies to interfere with each other. For
better radio reception, most AM radio stations boost the
power levels during the day, and then reduce these
levels during the night. Static can also occur when
things like storms and power lines interfere with radio
reception. When this happens, try reducing the treble on
your radio.
3-76

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

Braking in Emergencies
At some time, nearly every driver gets into a situation
that requires hard braking.
If you have ABS, you can steer and brake at the same
time. However, if you do not have ABS, your rst
reaction — to hit the brake pedal hard and hold it
down — might be the wrong thing to do. Your wheels
can stop rolling. Once they do, the vehicle cannot
respond to your steering. Momentum will carry it in
whatever direction it was headed when the wheels
stopped rolling. That could be off the road, into the very
thing you were trying to avoid, or into traffic.
If you do not have ABS, use a “squeeze” braking
technique. This will give you maximum braking while
maintaining steering control. You can do this by pushing
on the brake pedal with steadily increasing pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably want to squeeze the
brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you hear or
feel the wheels sliding, ease off the brake pedal.
This will help you retain steering control. If you do have
ABS, it is different. SeeAntilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 4-5.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
Brake Assist
If your vehicle has ESC with ABS, it also has a brake
assist feature that responds to emergency braking
by generating additional pressure and engaging
the ABS. When this happens, the brake pedal will feel
easier to push. Just hold the brake pedal down rmly
and let the system work for you. You might feel the
brakes vibrate or notice some noise, but this is normal.
The brakes will return to normal operation after the brake
pedal is released.
Brake assist cannot compensate for unsafe driving
practices and braking effectiveness, itself, depends on
the condition of the road, tires, and brakes and
vehicle mass.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle may have a Traction Control System (TCS)
that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in
slippery road conditions. The system operates only if it
senses that the wheels are spinning too much or are
beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the
system works the front brakes and reduces engine power
by closing the throttle and managing engine spark to limit
wheel spin.
If your vehicle has TCS, there is a ESC/TCS button
located on the instrument panel.
4-6

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

Traction Control Operation
Traction control limits wheel spin by reducing engine
power to the wheels (engine speed management)
and by applying brakes to each individual wheel
(brake-traction control) as necessary.
The traction control system is enabled automatically
when you start your vehicle, and it will activate and ash
the ESC/TCS light and display the LOW TRACTION
message if it senses that any of the wheels are spinning
or beginning to lose traction while driving. For more
information on the LOW TRACTION message,
seeDriver Information Center (DIC) on page 3-40.
Notice:If you allow the wheel(s) of one axle to spin
excessively while the ESC/TCS, ABS and Brake
warning lights and the SERVICE ESC and/or
SERVICE TRACTION messages are displayed, you
could damage the differential. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Reduce engine
power and do not spin the wheel(s) excessively
while these lights and this message are displayed.Notice:When traction control is turned off, or
Competitive Driving Mode is active, it is possible to
lose traction. If you attempt to shift with the front
wheels spinning with a loss of traction, it is possible
to cause damage to the transmission. Do not
attempt to shift when the front wheels do not have
traction. Damage caused by misuse of the vehicle
is not covered. See your warranty book for
additional information.
The traction control system may activate on dry or
rough roads or under conditions such as heavy
acceleration while turning or abrupt upshifts/downshifts
of the transmission. When this happens, you may notice
a reduction in acceleration, or may hear a noise or
vibration. This is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control while the system
activates, the ESC/TCS light ashes and the cruise
control automatically disengages. When road conditions
allow you to use cruise control again, you may
re-engage the cruise control. SeeCruise Control on
page 3-10.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3for more information.
4-8

Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
Your vehicle may have an Enhanced Traction System
(ETS) that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in
slippery road conditions. The system operates only if
it senses that one or both of the front wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, the system reduces engine power and may also
upshift the transmission to limit wheel spin. You may feel
or hear the system working, but this is normal.
If your vehicle has ETS, there is not an ESC/TCS
button on the instrument panel. To turn the system off,
shift to LOW (L) or REVERSE (R). There is more
information about how to turn the system off later in
this section.
The light below ashes and a LOW TRACTION
message will appear on the Driver Information Center
(DIC) when the traction control system is actively limiting
wheel spin. You may feel or hear the system working,
but this is normal. Slippery road conditions may
exist if this message is displayed, so adjust your driving
accordingly.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the ETS begins
to limit wheel spin, the cruise control will automatically
disengage. When road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, you may re-engage the cruise control.
SeeCruise Control on page 3-10.The ETS indicator/warning light may come on for the
following reasons:
The indicator/warning light ashes while the traction
control system is limiting wheel spin.
If you turn the system off by moving the shift lever to
LOW (L), the indicator/warning light will come on and
stay on. To turn the system back on, move the shift
lever back to a position other than LOW (L). The
indicator/warning light should go off.
The indicator/warning light will come on when you set
your parking brake with the engine running, and it will
stay on if your parking brake does not release fully. If
the transmission shift lever is in any position other
than LOW (L) and the indicator/warning light stays on
after your parking brake is fully released, it means
there is a problem with the system.
If the traction control system is affected by an engine
related problem, the system will turn off and the
indicator/warning light will come on.
4-9

If the ETS indicator/warning light comes on and stays
on for an extended period of time when the transmission
shift lever is in any position other than LOW (L), your
vehicle may need service.
When this light is on solid, the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
Check your DIC messaging to determine whether it is
because of the driver turning off the system, or that the
system may not be working properly and your vehicle
requires service. When this light is turned on, either the
SERVICE TRACTION or TRACTION OFF message
will be displayed.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-43for
more information on the messages associated with
this light.
To limit wheel spin, especially in slippery road
conditions, you should always leave the ETS on.
But you can turn the system off if you prefer.
To turn the system off, shift to LOW (L) or
REVERSE (R).
When you turn the system off, the ETS indicator/warning
light will come on and stay on and TRACTION OFF
message will be displayed when the gear shift is
in LOW (L). The indicator/warning light and message
will not come on when the gear shift is in REVERSE (R).
If the ETS is limiting wheel spin when you shift to
LOW (L) or REVERSE (R) to turn the system off, theindicator/warning light and TRACTION OFF will come
on in LOW (L). But the system won’t turn off right away.
It will wait until there’s no longer a current need to
limit wheel spin.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-43for
more information on the messages associated with
this light.
You can turn the system back on at any time by
shifting to AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D) or
INTERMEDIATE (I). The ETS indicator/warning light
should go off.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3for more information.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Your vehicle may have an Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) system which combines antilock brake, and
traction and stability control systems that help the driver
maintain directional control of the vehicle in most
driving conditions.
When the vehicle is started and begins to move, the
system performs several diagnostic checks to ensure
there are no problems. You may hear or feel the system
working. This is normal and does not mean there is a
problem with your vehicle. The system should initialize
before the vehicle reaches 20 mph (32 km/h).
4-10