2005 Chevrolet Cobalt Owners Manual

Boost ......................................................... 3-34
Fuel .......................................................... 3-34
Speedometer .............................................. 3-24
Tachometer ................................................. 3-24

Gasoline

Octane ........................................................ 5-5
Specifications ............................................... 5-6
Glove Box ..................................................... 2-33
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program .................. 7-5

Hazard Warning Flashers ................................... 3-6
Head Restraints ............................................... 1-6
Headlamp

Aiming ....................................................... 5-44
Headlamp Wiring ............................................ 5-90
Headlamps .................................................... 3-13
Bulb Replacement ....................................... 5-47
Daytime Running Lamps ............................... 3-14
Flash-to-Pass ............................................... 3-8
Halogen Bulbs ............................................ 5-47
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,

and Parking Lamps .................................. 5-48
High/Low Beam Changer ................................ 3-8
On Reminder .............................................. 3-14
Wiper Activated ........................................... 3-14
Heated Seats ................................................... 1-4
Heater ........................................................... 3-17
Height Adjuster, Driver Seat ............................... 1-3
Highbeam On Light ......................................... 3-33
Highway Hypnosis ........................................... 4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads .................................. 4-23
Hood

Checking Things Under ................................ 5-10
Release ..................................................... 5-11

Horn ............................................................... 3-6
How to Use This Manual ...................................... ii How to Wear Safety Belts Properly ................... 1-14
Hydraulic Clutch ............................................. 5-23

Ignition Positions ............................................. 2-16
Infants and Young Children, Restraints ............... 1-32
Inflation -- Tire Pressure .................................. 5-61
Instrument Panel

Brightness .................................................. 3-15
Cluster ....................................................... 3-22
Overview ..................................................... 3-4

Jump Starting ................................................. 5-40

Keyless Entry System ....................................... 2-3
Keys ............................................................... 2-2

Labelling, Tire Sidewall .................................... 5-56
Lamps

Battery Run-Down Protection ......................... 3-16
Dome ........................................................ 3-15
Fog ........................................................... 3-15
Mirror Reading ............................................ 3-16

LATCH System

Child Restraints ........................................... 1-41
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for

the LATCH System ................................... 1-43

Light

Airbag Readiness ........................................ 3-25
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning ................... 3-28
Brake System Warning ................................. 3-27
Charging System ......................................... 3-26
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning ............. 3-29
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)

Warning Light .......................................... 3-28
Fog Lamp .................................................. 3-33
Highbeam On ............................................. 3-33
Malfunction Indicator .................................... 3-30
Oil Pressure ............................................... 3-32
Safety Belt Reminder ................................... 3-24
Security ..................................................... 3-33
Up-Shift ..................................................... 3-26

Lighting

Entry/Exit

................................................... 3-16
Loading Your Vehicle ....................................... 4-30
Lockout Protection ............................................ 2-9
Locks

Automatic Door Locks .................................... 2-8
Delayed Locking ........................................... 2-8
Door ........................................................... 2-7
Lockout Protection ......................................... 2-9
Power Door .................................................. 2-7
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock .............. 2-8
Rear Door Security Locks ............................... 2-8
Loss of Control ............................................... 4-14
Lumbar

Manual Controls ............................................ 1-3

Maintenance Schedule

Additional Required Services ........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill ........................................... 6-8
At Least Once a Month .................................. 6-9
At Least Once a Year .................................... 6-9
Introduction .................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes .................................. 6-7
Maintenance Record .................................... 6-15

Maintenance Schedule (cont.)

Maintenance Requirements ............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts ......... 6-14
Owner Checks and Services ........................... 6-8
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ............. 6-12
Scheduled Maintenance ................................. 6-4
Using .......................................................... 6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment ................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light ................................ 3-30
Manual Lumbar Controls .................................... 1-3
Manual Seats ................................................... 1-2
Manual Transaxle

Fluid .......................................................... 5-23
Operation ................................................... 2-23
Manual Windows ............................................ 2-11
Message

DIC Warnings and Messages ........................ 3-37
Mirror Reading Lamps ..................................... 3-16
Mirrors

Automatic Dimming Rearview ........................ 2-31
Manual Rearview Mirror ................................ 2-31
Outside Convex Mirror ................................. 2-32
Outside Manual Mirror .................................. 2-31
Outside Power Mirrors .................................. 2-31
Outside Remote Control Mirror ...................... 2-31
MyGMLink.com ................................................ 7-3

N

New Vehicle Break-In ...................................... 2-16
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts ............ 6-14

Park (P)

Shifting Into ................................................ 2-26
Shifting Out of ............................................ 2-28

Odometer ...................................................... 3-24
Off-Road Recovery .......................................... 4-12
Oil

Engine ....................................................... 5-15
Pressure Light ............................................. 3-32
Oil, Engine Oil Life System .............................. 5-19
Older Children, Restraints ................................ 1-29
Online Owner Center ........................................ 7-3
OnStar® System ............................................. 2-32
Other Warning Devices ...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment ............................................ 3-20
Outside

Convex Mirror ............................................. 2-32
Manual Mirror ............................................. 2-31
Power Mirrors ............................................. 2-31
Remote Control Mirror .................................. 2-31
Owner Checks and Services .............................. 6-8
Owners, Canadian ............................................... ii

Parking

Brake ........................................................ 2-25
Over Things That Burn ................................. 2-29
Parking Your Vehicle ....................................... 2-28
Passing ......................................................... 4-13
Passlock® ...................................................... 2-15
Power

Accessory Outlets ........................................ 3-16
Door Locks .................................................. 2-7
Electrical System ......................................... 5-91
Retained Accessory (RAP) ............................ 2-18
Windows .................................................... 2-12
Pretensioners, Safety Belt ................................ 1-28
Programmable Automatic Door Unlock ................. 2-8

Questions and Answers About Safety Belts ......... 1-14

R

Radios .......................................................... 3-45
Care of Your CD Player ............................... 3-76
Care of Your CDs ........................................ 3-76
Radio with CD ............................ 3-46, 3-51, 3-60
Setting the Time for Radios with

Radio Data Systems (RDS) ....................... 3-46

Setting the Time for Radios without

Radio Data Systems (RDS) ....................... 3-45
Theft-Deterrent ............................................ 3-74
Understanding Reception .............................. 3-75
Rear Door Security Locks .................................. 2-8
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides ...................... 1-25
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts .................. 1-22
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming .................. 2-31
Rearview Mirrors ............................................. 2-31
Reclining Seatbacks .......................................... 1-4
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ................. 6-12
Recreational Vehicle Towing ............................. 4-35
Remote Keyless Entry System ............................ 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation ............ 2-4
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the

Spare Tire .................................................. 5-75
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools ................... 5-71
Replacement Bulbs ......................................... 5-53

Reporting Safety Defects

Canadian Government .................................. 7-11
General Motors ........................................... 7-11
United States Government ............................ 7-10

Restraint System Check

Checking the Restraint Systems .................... 1-57
Replacing Restraint System Parts

After a Crash .......................................... 1-58
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) ...................... 2-18
Right Front Passenger Position,

Safety Belts ................................................ 1-22

Roadside

Assistance Program ....................................... 7-6
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out .................... 4-30
Running the Engine While Parked ..................... 2-30

Safety Belt

Pretensioners .............................................. 1-28
Reminder Light ............................................ 3-24

Safety Belts

Care of ...................................................... 5-84
Driver Position ............................................ 1-15
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly ................ 1-14

10

Safety Belts ............................................. 1-14

Adding Equipment to the Outside of

Safety Belts (cont.)

Questions and Answers About

Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for

Children and Small Adults ......................... 1-25
Rear Seat Passengers ................................. 1-22
Right Front Passenger Position ...................... 1-22
Safety Belt Extender .................................... 1-28
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy ................. 1-22
Safety Belts Are for Everyone ......................... 1-9
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster ........................ 1-21
Safety Warnings and Symbols .............................. iii Scheduled Maintenance ..................................... 6-4
Seats

Driver Seat Height Adjuster ............................. 1-3
Easy Entry Seat ............................................ 1-7
Head Restraints ............................................ 1-6
Heated Seats ............................................... 1-4
Manual ........................................................ 1-2
Manual Lumbar ............................................. 1-3
Reclining Seatbacks ...................................... 1-4
Split Folding Rear Seat .................................. 1-8

Securing a Child Restraint

Designed for the LATCH System ................... 1-43
Rear Seat Position ...................................... 1-43
Right Front Seat Position .............................. 1-46

Security Light ................................................. 3-33
Service ........................................................... 5-3

Your Vehicle .............................................. 5-5
Doing Your Own Work ................................... 5-4
Engine Soon Light ....................................... 3-30
Publications Ordering Information ................... 7-11
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle .............. 1-57
Setting the Time

Radios with Radio Data Systems (RDS) ............ 3-46
Radios without Radio Data Systems (RDS) ........ 3-45
Sheet Metal Damage ....................................... 5-87
Shifting Into Park (P) ....................................... 2-26
Shifting Out of Park (P) ................................... 2-28
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster ........................... 1-21
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change .......................... 3-8
Spare Tire

Installing .................................................... 5-75
Removing ................................................... 5-71
Storing ....................................................... 5-78
Specifications, Capacities ................................. 5-97
Speedometer .................................................. 3-24
Split Folding Rear Seat ..................................... 1-8
Starting Your Engine ....................................... 2-18
Steering ........................................................ 4-10
Steering Wheel Controls, Audio ......................... 3-75

11

Tires ............................................................. 5-54

Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels,

Cleaning ................................................. 5-86
Buying New Tires ........................................ 5-64
Chains ....................................................... 5-68
Changing a Flat Tire .................................... 5-70
Cleaning .................................................... 5-86
Compact Spare Tire ..................................... 5-80
If a Tire Goes Flat ....................................... 5-69
Inflation -- Tire Pressure ............................... 5-61
Inspection and Rotation ................................ 5-63
Installing the Spare Tire ................................ 5-75
Removing the Flat Tire ................................. 5-75
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools ............... 5-71
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools ............ 5-78
Tire Sidewall Labelling .................................. 5-56
Tire Terminology and Definitions .................... 5-58
Uniform Tire Quality Grading ......................... 5-65
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance ................. 5-67
Wheel Replacement ..................................... 5-67
When It Is Time for New Tires ...................... 5-64
Top Strap ...................................................... 1-39
Top Strap Anchor Location ............................... 1-40

Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel ................................. 3-7
Storage Areas

Center Console Storage Area ........................ 2-33
Convenience Net ......................................... 2-34
Cupholder(s) ............................................... 2-33
Driver’s Storage Compartment ....................... 2-33
Glove Box .................................................. 2-33
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow ...................... 4-29
Sun Visors ..................................................... 2-13
Sunroof ......................................................... 2-34

Tachometer .................................................... 3-24
Taillamps

Turn Signal Lamps ...................................... 5-50
Turn Signal, Stoplamps and

Back-up Lamps ........................................ 5-51
Theft-Deterrent, Radio ..................................... 3-74
Theft-Deterrent Systems ................................... 2-13
Content Theft-Deterrent ................................ 2-13
Passlock® ................................................... 2-15
Tilt Wheel ........................................................ 3-7

12

Towing

Recreational Vehicle ..................................... 4-35
Towing a Trailer .................................. 4-37, 4-38
Your Vehicle ............................................... 4-35

Traction

Enhanced Traction System (ETS) .................... 4-8
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)

Warning Light .......................................... 3-28

Transaxle

Fluid, Automatic ........................................... 5-22
Fluid, Manual .............................................. 5-23
Transaxle Operation, Automatic ......................... 2-20
Transaxle Operation, Manual ............................ 2-23
Transmission

Up-Shift Light .............................................. 3-26
Trunk .............................................................. 2-9
Turn and Lane-Change Signals .......................... 3-8
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever ........................... 3-7

Understanding Radio Reception ........................ 3-75
Uniform Tire Quality Grading ............................ 5-65
Up-Shift Light ................................................. 3-26

Vehicle

Control ........................................................ 4-5
Damage Warnings ........................................... iv Loading ...................................................... 4-30
Parking Your ............................................... 2-28
Symbols ......................................................... iv

Vehicle Data Collection and Event

Data Recorders ............................................. 7-9

Vehicle Identification

Number (VIN) ............................................. 5-89
Service Parts Identification Label ................... 5-89

Vehicle Personalization

DIC ........................................................... 3-40
Ventilation Adjustment ...................................... 3-20
Visors ........................................................... 2-13

Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators ................ 3-21
Warnings

DIC Warnings and Messages ........................ 3-37
Hazard Warning Flashers ............................... 3-6
Other Warning Devices .................................. 3-6
Safety and Symbols ......................................... iii Vehicle Damage .............................................. iv

13

Wheels

Alignment and Tire Balance .......................... 5-67
Replacement ............................................... 5-67
Where to Put the Restraint ............................... 1-38
Windows ....................................................... 2-11
Manual ...................................................... 2-11
Power ........................................................ 2-12

Windshield

Wiper Blades, Cleaning ................................ 5-85
Windshield Washer ......................................... 3-10
Fluid .......................................................... 5-35

Windshield Wiper

Blade Replacement ...................................... 5-53
Fuses ........................................................ 5-90
Windshield Wipers ......................................... 3-9

Winter Driving ................................................ 4-25
Wiper Activated Headlamps .............................. 3-14

XMâ„¢ Satellite Radio Antenna System ................ 3-76

Your Vehicle and the Environment ....................... 6-2

14