Chevrolet 2010 Cobalt User manual

2010 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Manual M
In Brief ............................................ 1-1
Instrument Panel ................................. 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Performance and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Seats and Restraint System ...................... 2-1
Front Seats ....................................... 2-2
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-31
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-53
Restraint System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-74
Features and Controls ............................ 3-1
Keys ............................................. 3-3
Doors and Locks ................................. 3-8
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14
Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-20
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-37
Storage Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-39
Sunroof ......................................... 3-39
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Instrument Panel Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . 4-18
Driver Information Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-37
Audio System(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-52
Driving Your Vehicle .............................. 5-1
Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-30
Service and Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Service ........................................... 6-4
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Checking Things Under the Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12
Headlamp Aiming ............................... 6-44
Bulb Replacement .............................. 6-47
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . 6-53
Tires ............................................ 6-54
Appearance Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-112
Vehicle Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-120
Electrical System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-120
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-128

2010 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Manual M
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2
Customer Assistance Information ............... 8-1
Customer Assistance and Information . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-15
Vehicle Data Recording and Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-17
Index .................................... i-1

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem,
CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem, and
the name COBALT are registered trademarks of
General Motors Corporation.
This manual describes features that may or may not be
on your specific vehicle either because they are options
that you did not purchase or due to changes
subsequent to the printing of this owner manual. Please
refer to the purchase documentation relating to your
specific vehicle to confirm each of the features found on
your vehicle. For vehicles first sold in Canada,
substitute the name “General Motors of Canada
Limited”for Chevrolet Motor Division wherever it
appears in this manual.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for quick reference.
Canadian Owners
Propriétaires Canadiens
A French language copy of this manual can be obtained
from your dealer/retailer or from:
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de ce guide en français
auprès du concessionnaire ou à l'adresse suivante:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
Numéro de poste 6438 de langue française
www.helminc.com
Index
To quickly locate information about the vehicle, use the
index in the back of the manual. It is an alphabetical list
of what is in the manual and the page number where it
can be found.
iii
Litho in the U.S.A.
Part No. 25895310 A First Printing ©2009 General Motors Corporation. All rights Reserved.

Safety Warnings and Symbols
Warning messages found on vehicle labels and in this
manual describe hazards and what to do to avoid or
reduce them.
Danger indicates a hazard with a high level of risk
which will result in serious injury or death.
Warning or Caution indicates a hazard that could result
in injury or death.
{WARNING:
These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people.
Notice: This means there is something that could
result in property or vehicle damage. This would not
be covered by the vehicle's warranty.
A circle with a slash
through it is a safety
symbol which means “Do
Not,” “Do not do this,”or
“Do not let this happen.”
Vehicle Symbols
The vehicle has components and labels that use
symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or information relating
to a specific component, control, message, gage,
or indicator.
M:This symbol is shown when you need to see your
owner manual for additional instructions or information.
*:This symbol is shown when you need to see a
service manual for additional instructions or information.
iv

Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols that may be found on
the vehicle and what they mean. For more information
on the symbol, refer to the index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls or OnStar
®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gage
+:Fuses
i:Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
v

2NOTES
vi

Section 1 In Brief
Instrument Panel ................................... 1-2
Initial Drive Information ........................... 1-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Trunk Release .................................. 1-6
Windows ........................................ 1-6
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Sensing System for Passenger Airbag . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Mirror Adjustment .............................. 1-10
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Vehicle Features .................................. 1-14
Radio(s) ....................................... 1-14
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Portable Audio Devices
(Auxiliary Input or USB Port) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Bluetooth
®
..................................... 1-17
Cruise Control ................................. 1-18
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Performance and Maintenance .................. 1-18
Traction Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-21
OnStar
®
....................................... 1-22
1-1

Instrument Panel
1-2

A. Outlet Adjustment on page 4‑16.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 4‑4.
C. Cruise Control
on page 4‑6 (If Equipped) .
Driver Information Center (DIC) on page 4‑37.
D. Instrument Panel Cluster on page 4‑19.
E. Audio Steering Wheel Controls
on page 4‑84
(If Equipped) .
F. Hazard Warning Flashers on page 4‑3.
G. Windshield Wipers
on page 4‑5 and Windshield
Washer on page 4‑6.
H. Audio System(s) on page 4‑52.
I. Fog Lamps
on page 4‑10 (If Equipped) .
J. Trunk Release. See Trunk on page 3‑12.
K. Instrument Panel Brightness on page 4‑11.
L. Horn on page 4‑3.
M. Traction Control System (TCS)
on page 5‑9
(If Equipped) . Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
on page 5‑6 (If Equipped).
N. Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped). See Ashtray(s) and
Cigarette Lighter on page 4‑13.
O. Shift Lever (Manual Shown). See Manual
Transmission Operation
on page 3‑28 and
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 3‑26.
P. Climate Control System on page 4‑14.
Q. Heated Seats
on page 2‑4 (If Equipped) .
R. Glove Box on page 3‑39.
1-3

Initial Drive Information
This section provides a brief overview about some of
the important features that may or may not be on your
specific vehicle.
For more detailed information, refer to each of the
features which can be found later in this owner manual.
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
The RKE transmitter is used to remotely lock and
unlock the doors from up to 60 m (195 feet) away from
the vehicle.
Press Kto unlock the
driver door. Press again
within five seconds to
unlock all remaining
doors.
Press Qto lock all doors.
Lock and unlock feedback can be personalized.
Press and hold Vfor approximately one second to
open the trunk.
Press Land release to locate the vehicle.
Press Land hold for three seconds to sound the panic
alarm.
Press Lagain to cancel the panic alarm.
See Keys
on page 3‑3 and Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation on page 3‑4.
Remote Vehicle Start
With this feature the engine can be started from outside
of the vehicle.
Starting the Vehicle
1. Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle.
2. Press Q.
3. Immediately after completing Step 2, press and
hold /until the turn signal lamps flash.
1-4

When the vehicle starts, the parking lamps will turn on
and remain on as long as the engine is running. The
doors will be locked and the climate control system may
come on.
The engine will continue to run for 10 minutes. Repeat
the steps for a 10-minute time extension. Remote start
can be extended only once.
Canceling a Remote Start
To cancel a remote start:
.Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle and press
and hold /.
.Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
.Turn the ignition switch to ON/RUN and then
LOCK/OFF.
See Remote Vehicle Start on page 3‑6.
Door Locks
To lock the driver door from outside the vehicle, turn the
key clockwise. Turn it counterclockwise to unlock.
The Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter can also
be used to lock or unlock the doors.
From the inside, use the manual lock knobs on each
door or use the power door locks.
Power Door Locks
This vehicle may have
power door locks. The
controls are located on
the driver and front
passenger door armrests.
K:Press to unlock the doors.
Q:Press to lock the doors.
For more information see:
.Door Locks on page 3‑8.
.Power Door Locks on page 3‑9.
.Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation
on page 3‑4 .
1-5

Trunk Release
In addition to the trunk release button on the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter, the trunk can be
opened from inside the vehicle by pressing the remote
trunk release button. This button is located inside the
driver storage compartment, on the left side of the
instrument panel .
See Trunk on page 3‑12.
Windows
Power Windows
For vehicles with power
windows, the switches on
the driver door armrest
control each window. The
switch on each passenger
door controls only that
doors window.
Press the front of the switch to open the window and
pull the switch up to close it.
See Power Windows on page 3‑15.
Seat Adjustment
Manual Seats
1. Lift the bar to unlock
the seat.
2. Slide the seat to the
desired position and
release the bar.
Try to move the seat to be sure it is locked in place.
See Manual Seats on page 2‑2.
1-6

Seat Height Adjuster
To raise or lower the driver seat, move the lever upward
or downward repeatedly until the seat is at the desired
height.
See Seat Height Adjuster on page 2‑3.
Reclining Seatbacks
To recline the seatback, do the following:
1. Lift the recline lever.
2. Move the seatback to the desired position, then
release the lever to lock the seatback in place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is
locked.
See Reclining Seatbacks on page 2‑4.
1-7

Manual Lumbar
If equipped, the lumbar
knob is located on the
front of the driver
seat lower cushion.
Turn it clockwise or
counterclockwise to
increase or decrease the
lumbar support.
See Manual Lumbar on page 2‑3.
Heated Seats
Driver's Switch shown
This vehicle may have
heated front seats.
The switches are located
on the instrument panel
above the climate control
system.
Press the side of the switch with the double indicator
lights to turn the seat to the highest setting.
Press the side of the switch with the single indicator
light to turn the seat to the lowest setting.
Return the switch to the center to turn off the
heated seat.
See Heated Seats on page 2‑4.
1-8

Head Restraint Adjustment
Do not drive until the head restraints for all occupants
are installed and adjusted properly.
See Head Restraints on page 2‑7.
Safety Belt
Refer to the following sections for important information
on how to use safety belts properly.
.Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone on page 2‑10.
.How to Wear Safety Belts Properly on page 2‑15.
.Lap-Shoulder Belt on page 2‑24.
.Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
on page 2‑41 .
1-9

Sensing System for Passenger
Airbag
The passenger sensing system, if equipped, will turn off
the right front passenger frontal airbag under certain
conditions. The driver airbags and roof-rail airbags are
not affected by this.
If the vehicle has a passenger sensing system, the
passenger airbag status indicator will be visible on the
instrument panel when the vehicle is started.
United States Canada
See Passenger Sensing System (Without Turbo Engine)
on page 2‑62 or Passenger Sensing System (With
Turbo Engine)
on page 2‑67 for important information.
Mirror Adjustment
Exterior Mirrors
Controls for the outside
power mirrors are located
on the driver door
armrest.
1. Use the selector switch located below the four-way
control pad to choose either the left or right outside
mirror.
2. Press one of the four arrows located on the control
pad to move the mirror to the desired direction.
3. Adjust each outside mirror so that a little of the
vehicle and the area behind it can be seen.
Keep the selector switch in the center position when not
adjusting either outside mirror.
1-10

Manually fold the mirrors inward to prevent damage
when going through an automatic car wash. To fold, pull
the mirror toward the vehicle. Push the mirror outward,
to return it to the original position.
Interior Mirror
Hold the inside rearview mirror in the center to move it
for a clearer view of behind the vehicle. Adjust the
mirror to reduce the glare of headlamps from behind.
Push the tab forward for daytime use and pull it for
nighttime use. See Manual Rearview Mirror
on
page 3‑37
.
Steering Wheel Adjustment
The tilt wheel lever is located on the left side of the
steering column.
To adjust the steering wheel:
1. Pull the lever down.
2. Move the steering wheel up or down into a
comfortable position.
3. Pull the lever up to lock the steering wheel in
place.
See Tilt Wheel on page 4‑3.
1-11

Interior Lighting
Dome Lamp
The vehicle may have a dome lamp.
Move the lever near the dome lamp to the following
positions:
9:Turns the lamp off, even when a door is opened.
1:Turns the lamp on whenever a door is opened.
+:Turns the dome lamp on.
Mirror Reading Lamp
The vehicle may have reading lamps on the rearview
mirror. Press the button near each lamp to turn the
reading lamps on and off.
For more information on interior lighting, see:
.Entry/Exit Lighting on page 4‑11.
.Instrument Panel Brightness on page 4‑11.
Exterior Lighting
The lever is on the left side of the steering column.
2:Turns on the headlamps, parking lamps, and
taillamps.
;:Turns on the parking lamps and taillamps only.
AUTO : Automatically turns on the Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) during daytime, and the headlamps,
parking lamps, and taillamps at night.
P:When operating in AUTO, a momentary turn of the
switch to Off/On will turn the Automatic Headlamp
System off or back on. For vehicles first sold in Canada,
the automatic transmission must be in P (Park) or the
manual transmission must have the park brake set,
before the Automatic Headlamp System can be
turned off.
1-12

For more information, see:
.Headlamps on page 4‑9.
.Fog Lamps on page 4‑10.
.Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) on page 4‑10.
.Headlamps on Reminder on page 4‑10.
.Wiper Activated Headlamps on page 4‑10.
Windshield Wiper/Washer
The windshield wiper lever is located on the right side of
the steering column.
9:Turns the wipers off.
&:Turn this band for intermittent or speed sensitive
operation. As vehicle speed increases or decreases, the
wiper interval also increases or decreases.
x:Delays wiping cycle. Turn the band up for more
frequent wipes.
6:Slow wipes.
1:Fast wipes.
8:Use for a single wiping cycle.
Windshield Washer : Press the button at the end of
the lever until the washers begin.
See Windshield Wipers
on page 4‑5 and Windshield
Washer on page 4‑6.
1-13

Climate Controls
The vehicle's heating, cooling, and ventilation can be
controlled with this system.
Vehicles with Air Conditioning shown, without Air
Conditioning similar
A. Air Delivery Mode Control
B. Fan Control
C. Temperature Control
D. Air Conditioning
E. Rear Window
Defogger
F. Recirculation
See Climate Control System on page 4‑14.
Vehicle Features
Radio(s)
Radio with CD (MP3) and USB Port shown
O:Press to turn the system on and off. Turn to
increase or decrease the volume.
BAND : Press to choose between FM, AM, or XM™,
if equipped.
1-14