CHEVROLET COBALT 2008 1.G Owners Manual

sREV (Reverse):Press and hold this button to
reverse playback quickly within an MP3 le. You will
hear sound at a reduced volume. Release this button to
resume playing the le. The elapsed time of the le
displays.
\FWD (Fast Forward):Press and hold this button to
advance playback quickly within an MP3 le. You will
hear sound at a reduced volume. Release this button to
resume playing the le. The elapsed time of the le
displays.
RDM (Random):With the random setting, MP3 les on
the CD-R or CD-RW can be played in random, rather
than sequential order, on one CD-R/CD-RW or all discs
in a six-disc CD player. To use random, do one of the
following:
1. To play MP3 les in random order from the CD-R
or CD-RW that is currently playing, press the
pushbutton positioned under the RDM label until
Random Current Disc displays. Press the same
pushbutton again to turn off random play.
2. To play songs from all CDs loaded in a six-disc CD
player in random order, press the pushbutton
positioned under the RDM label until Randomize All
Discs displays. Press the same pushbutton again
to turn off random play.
h(Music Navigator):Use the music navigator
feature to play MP3 les on the CD-R or CD-RW
in order by artist or album. Press the pushbutton located
below the music navigator label. The player scans the
disc to sort the les by artist and album ID3 tag
information. It can take several minutes to scan the disc
depending on the number of MP3 les recorded to
the CD-R or CD-RW. The radio can begin playing while
it is scanning the disc in the background. When the
scan is nished, the CD-R or CD-RW begins playing
again.
Once the disc has been scanned, the player defaults to
playing MP3 les in order by artist. The current artist
playing is shown on the second line of the display
between the arrows. Once all songs by that artist are
played, the player moves to the next artist in
alphabetical order on the CD-R/CD-RW and begins
playing MP3 les by that artist. If you want to listen to
MP3 les by another artist, press the pushbutton located
below either arrow button. The CD goes to the next or
previous artist in alphabetical order. Continue pressing
either button until the desired artist displays.
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To change from playback by artist to playback by
album, press the pushbutton located below the Sort By
label. From the sort screen, push one of the buttons
below the album button. Press the pushbutton below the
back label to return to the main music navigator
screen. The album name displays on the second line
between the arrows and songs from the current
album and begins to play. Once all songs from that
album are played, the player moves to the next album
in alphabetical order on the CD-R or CD-RW and begins
playing MP3 les from that album.
To exit music navigator mode, press the pushbutton
below the Back label to return to normal MP3 playback.
BAND:Press this button to listen to the radio while
a CD is playing. The CD remains inside the radio
for future listening.
CD/AUX (CD/Auxiliary):Press this button to play a CD
while listening to the radio. The CD icon and a
message showing disc and/or track number displays
while a CD is in the player. Press this button again and
the system automatically searches for an auxiliary
input device such as a portable audio player. If a
portable audio player is not connected, “No Aux Input
Device” displays.XM Radio Messages
XL (Explicit Language Channels):These channels, or
any others, can be blocked at a customer’s request,
by calling 1-800-852-XMXM (9696).
XM Updating:The encryption code in the receiver is
being updated, and no action is required. This process
should take no longer than 30 seconds.
No XM Signal:The system is functioning correctly, but
the vehicle is in a location that is blocking the XM™
signal. When you move into an open area, the signal
should return.
Loading XM:The audio system is acquiring and
processing audio and text data. No action is needed.
This message should disappear shortly.
Channel Off Air:This channel is not currently in
service. Tune to another channel.
Channel Unavail:This previously assigned channel is
no longer assigned. Tune to another station. If this
station was one of the presets, choose another station
for that preset button.
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No Artist Info:No artist information is available at this
time on this channel. The system is working properly.
No Title Info:No song title information is available
at this time on this channel. The system is working
properly.
No CAT Info:No category information is available at
this time on this channel. The system is working
properly.
No Information:No text or informational messages are
available at this time on this channel. The system is
working properly.
CAT Not Found:There are no channels available for
the selected category. The system is working properly.
XM TheftLocked:The XM receiver in the vehicle
could have previously been in another vehicle. For
security purposes, XM™ receivers cannot be swapped
between vehicles. If this message appears after
having your vehicle serviced, check with your
dealer/retailer.
XM Radio ID:If tuned to channel 0, this message
alternates with the XM Radio eight digit radio ID label.
This label is needed to activate the service.Unknown:If this message is received when tuned to
channel 0, there could be a receiver fault. Consult
with your dealer/retailer.
Check XM Receivr:If this message does not clear
within a short period of time, the receiver could have a
fault. Consult with your dealer/retailer.
XM Not Available:If this message does not clear
within a short period of time, the receiver could have a
fault. Consult with your dealer/retailer.
Theft-Deterrent Feature
THEFTLOCK®is designed to discourage theft of your
vehicle’s radio. The feature works automatically by
learning a portion of the Vehicle Identication Number
(VIN). If the radio is moved to a different vehicle, it does
not operate and LOC, LOCK, or LOCKED could display.
With THEFTLOCK
®activated, the radio does not
operate if stolen.
3-75

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.
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FM Stereo
FM stereo gives the best sound, but FM signals only
reach about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). Tall buildings
or hills can interfere with FM signals, causing the
sound to fade in and out.
XM™ Satellite Radio Service
XM™ Satellite Radio Service gives digital radio
reception from coast-to-coast in the 48 contiguous
United States, and in Canada. Just as with FM,
tall buildings or hills can interfere with satellite radio
signals, causing the sound to fade in and out. In
addition, traveling or standing under heavy foliage,
bridges, garages, or through tunnels could cause loss
of the XM signal for a period of time. The radio may
display NO XM SIGNAL to indicate interference.
Fixed Mast Antenna
The xed mast antenna can withstand most car washes
without being damaged. If the mast should ever
become slightly bent, straighten it out by hand. If the
mast is badly bent, replace it.
Check occasionally to make sure the mast is still
tightened to its base. If tightening is required, tighten
by hand, then with a wrench one quarter turn.
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System
Your vehicle may have the XM™ Satellite Radio
antenna that is located on the trunk of your vehicle.
Keep this antenna clear of snow and ice build up
for clear radio reception.
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✍NOTES
3-78

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Defensive Driving...........................................4-2
Drunk Driving.................................................4-2
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-3
Braking.........................................................4-4
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................4-5
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-6
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-6
Enhanced Traction System (ETS).....................4-9
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)....................4-10
Steering......................................................4-12
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-15
Passing.......................................................4-15
Loss of Control.............................................4-15
Racing or Other Competitive Driving................4-17Driving at Night............................................4-17
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-18
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-19
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-20
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-20
Winter Driving..............................................4-21
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.............................................4-26
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-26
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-27
Towing..........................................................4-32
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-32
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-32
Towing a Trailer (Manual Transmission)...........4-34
Towing a Trailer (Automatic Transmission)........4-34
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
4-1

Your Driving, the Road, and
Your Vehicle
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always expect the
unexpected.” The rst step in driving defensively is to
wear your safety belt — SeeSafety Belts: They Are for
Everyone on page 1-10.
{CAUTION:
Assume that other road users (pedestrians,
bicyclists, and other drivers) are going to be
careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what
they might do and be ready. In addition:
Allow enough following distance between
you and the driver in front of you.
Focus on the task of driving.
Driver distraction can cause collisions
resulting in injury or possible death. These
simple defensive driving techniques could
save your life.
Drunk Driving
{CAUTION:
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.
Your reexes, perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even a small
amount of alcohol. You can have a serious — or
even fatal — collision if you drive after drinking.
Do not drink and drive or ride with a driver who
has been drinking. Ride home in a cab; or if you
are with a group, designate a driver who will not
drink.
Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is
a global tragedy.
Alcohol affects four things that anyone needs to drive a
vehicle: judgment, muscular coordination, vision, and
attentiveness.
4-2

Police records show that almost 40 percent of all motor
vehicle-related deaths involve alcohol. In most cases,
these deaths are the result of someone who was
drinking and driving. In recent years, more than
17,000 annual motor vehicle-related deaths have been
associated with the use of alcohol, with about
250,000 people injured.
For persons under 21, it is against the law in every
U.S. state to drink alcohol. There are good medical,
psychological, and developmental reasons for
these laws.
The obvious way to eliminate the leading highway
safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol and
then drive.
Medical research shows that alcohol in a person’s
system can make crash injuries worse, especially
injuries to the brain, spinal cord, or heart. This means
that when anyone who has been drinking — driver or
passenger — is in a crash, that person’s chance of being
killed or permanently disabled is higher than if the person
had not been drinking.Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems help to control your vehicle
while driving — brakes, steering, and accelerator.
At times, as when driving on snow or ice, it is easy to
ask more of those control systems than the tires and
road can provide. Meaning, you can lose control of your
vehicle. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-6,
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) on page 4-9, and
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) on page 4-10.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.
4-3

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