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
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy
Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant
women. Like all occupants, they are more likely to be
seriously injured if they do not wear safety belts.
A pregnant woman should wear a lap-shoulder belt,
and the lap portion should be worn as low as possible,
below the rounding, throughout the pregnancy.
The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the mother.
When a safety belt is worn properly, it is more likely that
the fetus will not be hurt in a crash. For pregnant women,
as for anyone, the key to making safety belts effective is
wearing them properly.
Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you,
you should use it.
But if a safety belt is not long enough, your
dealer/retailer will order you an extender. When you
go in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear,
so the extender will be long enough for you. To help
avoid personal injury, do not let someone else use it,
and use it only for the seat it is made to t. The extender
has been designed for adults. Never use it for securing
child seats. To wear it, attach it to the regular safety
belt. For more information, see the instruction sheet that
comes with the extender.
1-29
Keys...............................................................2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System................2-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation...................................................2-5
Remote Vehicle Start......................................2-7
Doors and Locks............................................2-10
Door Locks..................................................2-10
Power Door Locks........................................2-10
Delayed Locking...........................................2-11
Automatic Door Lock.....................................2-11
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock.............2-11
Rear Door Security Locks (Sedan)..................2-12
Lockout Protection........................................2-13
Trunk..........................................................2-13
Windows........................................................2-15
Manual Windows..........................................2-15
Power Windows............................................2-16
Sun Visors...................................................2-17Theft-Deterrent Systems..................................2-18
Content Theft-Deterrent.................................2-18
PASS-Key
®III+............................................2-19
PASS-Key®III+ Operation..............................2-20
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle................2-21
New Vehicle Break-In....................................2-21
Ignition Positions..........................................2-22
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)...................2-25
Starting the Engine.......................................2-25
Engine Coolant Heater..................................2-27
Automatic Transmission Operation...................2-28
Manual Transmission Operation......................2-30
Parking Brake..............................................2-32
Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)............................2-33
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)............................2-35
Parking Your Vehicle.....................................2-35
Parking Over Things That Burn.......................2-36
Engine Exhaust............................................2-36
Running the Vehicle While Parked..................2-37
Section 2 Features and Controls
2-1
Keys
{CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons, children
or others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate the power windows or
other controls or even make the vehicle move.
The windows will function with the keys in the
ignition and they could be seriously injured
or killed if caught in the path of a closing
window. Do not leave the keys in a vehicle
with children.
The key can be used for the ignition and all locks.
The key has a bar-coded key tag that the dealer/retailer
or quali ed locksmith can use to make new keys.
Store this information in a safe place, not in your vehicle.
Notice:If you ever lock your keys in your vehicle,
you may have to damage the vehicle to get in.
Be sure you have spare keys.
If you are locked out of your vehicle, contact Roadside
Assistance. SeeRoadside Assistance Program
on page 7-7.
2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System
If the vehicle has the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
system, it 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 interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
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.At times you may notice a decrease in range. This is
normal for any RKE system. If the transmitter does
not work or if you have to stand closer to your vehicle
for the transmitter to work, try this:Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. You may need to stand closer during
rainy or snowy weather.
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may
be blocking the signal. Take a few steps to the
left or right, hold the transmitter higher, and
try again.
Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See “Battery Replacement” later
in this section.
If you are still having trouble, see your dealer/retailer
or a quali ed technician for service.
2-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter functions
will work up to 195 feet (60 m) away, however, the
operating range may be less while the vehicle is running.
There are other conditions which can affect the
performance of the transmitter. SeeRemote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System on page 2-4
/(Remote Vehicle Start):If your vehicle has this
feature, press
/to start the engine from outside
the vehicle using the RKE transmitter. SeeRemote
Vehicle Start on page 2-7
Q(Lock):PressQto lock all the doors. The interior
lamps will turn off after all of the doors are closed.
If enabled through the Driver Information Center (DIC),
the remote lock feedback can be programmed to
have the horn chirp and/or the turn signals ash
when the RKE transmitter is used to lock the vehicle’s
doors. See “LOCK HORN” and “LIGHT FLASH”
underDIC Vehicle Personalization on page 3-48
Pressing
Qmay also arm the content theft-deterrent
system. SeeContent Theft-Deterrent on page 2-18
K(Unlock):PressKto unlock the driver’s door.
If
Kis pressed again within ve seconds, all remaining
doors will unlock. The interior lamps will turn on and
stay on for 20 seconds or until the ignition is turned on.
If enabled through the DIC, the remote unlock feedback
can be programmed to have the horn chirp and/or the
turn signals ash when the RKE transmitter is used to
unlock the vehicle’s doors. See “UNLOCK HORN” and
“LIGHT FLASH” underDIC Vehicle Personalization
on page 3-48. With Remote
Start Shown, Without
Remote Start Similar
2-5
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
After your vehicle’s engine has been started two times
using the remote vehicle start button, the vehicle’s
ignition switch must be turned to ON/RUN and then back
to LOCK/OFF using the key before the remote start
procedure can be used again. SeeIgnition Positions
on page 2-22for information regarding the ignition
positions on your vehicle.
If your vehicle has the remote start feature, the RKE
transmitter functions will have an increased range
of operation. However, the range may be less while
the vehicle is running.
There are other conditions which can affect the
performance of the transmitter, seeRemote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System on page 2-4for additional
information.
/(Remote Start):This button will be on the RKE
transmitter if you have remote start.To start the vehicle using the remote start feature,
do the following:
1. Aim the transmitter at the vehicle.
2. Press and release the transmitter’s lock button,
then immediately press and hold the transmitter’s
remote start button until the vehicle’s turn signal
lamps ash.
When the vehicle starts, the parking lamps will
turn on and remain on while the engine is running.
3. If it is the rst remote start since the vehicle has
been driven, repeat these steps, while the engine
is running, to extend the time by 10 minutes for
the engine to continue to run.
After entering the vehicle after a remote start, insert
and turn the key to ON/RUN to drive the vehicle.
The engine will shut off automatically after 10 minutes,
unless a time extension has been done or the
vehicle’s key is inserted into the ignition switch and
turned to ON/RUN.
2-8