CHEVROLET COBALT 2006 1.G Owners Manual

Here are four things that some owners ask about.
None of these show a problem with your fuel gage:
At the service station, the gas pump shuts off before
the gage reads full.
It takes a little more or less fuel to ll up than the
gage indicated. For example, the gage may have
indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took
a little more or less than half the tank’s capacity
to ll the tank.
The gage moves a little when you turn a corner or
speed up.
The gage doesn’t go back to empty when you turn
off the ignition.
For your fuel tank capacity, seeCapacities and
Specications on page 5-107.
Boost Gage
If equipped, this gage is located near the driver’s side of
the instrument panel cluster.
This gage indicates vacuum during light to moderate
throttle and boost under heavier throttle.
This gage displays the air pressure level in the intake
manifold before it enters the engine’s combustion
chamber.
This gage is automatically centered at zero every time
the ignition is turned to RUN. Actual vacuum or boost
is displayed from this zero point. Changes in ambient
pressure, such as driving in mountains and changing
weather, will slightly change the zero reading.United States
Canada
3-37

Driver Information Center (DIC)
The Driver Information Center (DIC) display gives you the
status of many of your vehicle’s systems. The DIC is also
used to display driver personalization menu modes and
warning/status messages. All messages will appear in
the DIC display, located at the bottom of the tachometer
on the instrument panel cluster.
The DIC buttons are
located to the right of the
steering wheel on the
instrument panel.
4(Information):Press this button to scroll through the
vehicle information mode displays.
r(Reset):Press this button to reset some vehicle
information mode displays, select a personalization
menu mode setting, or acknowledge a warning
message.
Press and hold the information and reset buttons at the
same time for one second, then release to enter the
personalization menu. SeeDIC Vehicle Personalization
on page 3-43for more information.
DIC Operation and Displays
The DIC comes on when the ignition is on. The DIC has
different modes which can be accessed by pressing the
DIC buttons. The button functions are detailed in the
following.
Information Modes
4
(Information):Press this button to scroll through the
following vehicle information modes:
Outside Air Temperature and Odometer
Press the information button until the outside air
temperature and the odometer are displayed. This mode
shows the temperature outside of the vehicle in either
degrees Fahrenheit (°F) or degrees Celsius (°C) and the
total distance the vehicle has been driven in either miles
(mi) or kilometers (km). The outside air temperature will
appear on the left side of the DIC display and the
odometer will appear on the right side of the display.
To change the DIC display to English or metric units,
see “UNITS” underDIC Vehicle Personalization on
page 3-43.
3-38

TRIP A or TRIP B
Press the information button until TRIP A or TRIP B is
displayed. These modes show the current distance
traveled since the last reset for each trip odometer in
either miles (mi) or kilometers (km). Both odometers can
be used at the same time.
Each trip odometer can be reset to zero separately by
pressing and holding the reset button for a few seconds
while the desired trip odometer is displayed.
FUEL RANGE
Press the information button until FUEL RANGE is
displayed. This mode shows the remaining distance
you can drive without refueling in either miles (mi)
or kilometers (km). It is based on fuel economy and the
fuel remaining in the tank.
The fuel economy data used to determine fuel range is an
average of recent driving conditions. As your driving
conditions change, this data is gradually updated. The
FUEL RANGE mode cannot be reset.
ECON (Economy)
Press the information button until ECON is displayed.
This mode shows how many miles per gallon (mpg)
or liters per 100 kilometers (L/100 km) your vehicle is
getting based on current and past driving conditions.
Press and hold the reset button while ECON is displayed
to reset the average fuel economy. Average fuel
economy will then be calculated starting from that point.
If the average fuel economy is not reset, it will be
continually updated each time you drive.
AV (Average) SPEED
Press the information button until AV SPEED is
displayed. This mode shows the vehicle’s average speed
in miles per hour (mph) or kilometers per hour (km/h).
Press and hold the reset button while AV SPEED is
displayed to reset the average vehicle speed.
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OIL LIFE
Press the information button until OIL LIFE is displayed.
The engine oil life system shows an estimate of the
oil’s remaining useful life. It will show 100% when the
system is reset after an oil change. It will alert you
to change your oil on a schedule consistent with your
driving conditions.
In addition to the engine oil life system monitoring the
oil life, additional maintenance is recommended in
the Maintenance Schedule in this manual. SeeEngine
Oil on page 5-15andScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4.
Always reset the engine oil life system after an oil
change. See “How to Reset the Engine Oil Life System”
underEngine Oil Life System on page 5-20and
“OIL–LIFE RESET” underDIC Vehicle Personalization
on page 3-43.
COOLANT
Press the information button until COOLANT is
displayed. This mode shows the temperature of the
engine coolant in either degrees Fahrenheit (°F)
or degrees Celsius (°C).
DIC Warnings and Messages
These messages will appear if there is a problem
detected in one of your vehicle’s systems.
Any message will clear when the vehicle’s condition is
no longer present. The warning message will come back
on the next time the vehicle is turned off and back on
if the condition is still present. With most messages,
a warning chime will sound when the message is
displayed. You can also acknowledge and clear some
warning messages from the DIC display by pressing
either the reset or information buttons. Your vehicle may
have other warning messages.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS OFF
This message is displayed if the automatic headlamp
system is disabled with the headlamp switch.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS ON
This message is displayed if the automatic headlamp
system is enabled with the headlamp switch.
BRAKE FLUID
This message will display if the ignition is on to inform
the driver that the brake uid level is low. Have the
brake system serviced by your GM dealer as soon as
possible.
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CHANGE OIL SOON
This message is displayed when the life of the engine
oil has expired and it should be changed.
When you acknowledge the CHANGE OIL SOON
message by clearing it from the display, you still must
reset the engine oil life system separately. See
“OIL-LIFE RESET” underDIC Vehicle Personalization
on page 3-43,Engine Oil Life System on page 5-20,
andScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4for more
information.
CHECK GAS CAP
This message is displayed if the gas cap has not been
fully tightened. You should recheck your gas cap to
ensure that it is on properly. A few driving trips with
the cap properly installed should turn the display off.
CRUISE ENGAGED
This message is displayed when the cruise control
system is active. SeeCruise Control on page 3-10
for more information.
DOOR AJAR
This message is displayed if one or more of the
vehicle’s doors are not closed properly. When this
message appears, you should make sure that the
door is closed completely.
ENGINE DISABLED
This message is displayed if the starting of the engine is
disabled. Have your vehicle serviced by your GM dealer
immediately.
ENG (Engine) PWR (Power) REDUCED
This message informs you that the vehicle has reduced
engine power to avoid damaging the engine. Reduced
engine power can affect the vehicle’s ability to accelerate.
If this message is on, but there is no reduction in
performance, proceed to your destination. The
performance may be reduced the next time the vehicle is
driven. The vehicle may be driven at a reduced speed
while this message is on, but acceleration and speed may
be reduced. Anytime this message stays on, the vehicle
should be taken to your GM dealer for service as soon as
possible.
ICE POSSIBLE
This message appears when the outside air temperature
is cold enough to create icy road conditions.
KEY FOB BATT (Battery) LOW
This message is displayed if the remote keyless entry
transmitter battery is low. See “Battery Replacement”
underRemote Keyless Entry System Operation on
page 2-4.
3-41

LOW COOLANT
If your vehicle has a 2.0L engine, this message is
displayed when there is a low level of engine coolant.
Have the cooling system serviced by your GM dealer as
soon as possible. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-24
for more information.
LOW FUEL
This message is displayed when your vehicle is low on
fuel. You should rell the fuel tank as soon as possible.
SeeFuel Gage on page 3-36,Filling the Tank on
page 5-8, andFuel on page 5-5for more information.
LOW TRACTION
This message is displayed when the Enhanced Traction
System (ETS) is actively limiting wheel spin. Slippery
road conditions may exist if this message is displayed,
so adjust your driving accordingly. SeeEnhanced
Traction System (ETS) on page 4-9for more
information.
PARKING BRAKE
This message is displayed if the parking brake is left
engaged. SeeParking Brake on page 2-27.
POWER STEERING
This message is displayed if a problem has been
detected with the electric power steering. Have your
vehicle serviced by your GM dealer immediately.
SERVICE AIR BAG
This message is displayed when there is a problem
with the airbag system. Let only a qualied technician
work on your vehicle. Have your vehicle serviced
by your GM dealer immediately.
TRUNK AJAR
This message is displayed when the trunk lid of your
vehicle is not closed completely. You should make sure
that the trunk lid is closed completely. SeeTrunk on
page 2-10.
3-42

DIC Vehicle Personalization
Your vehicle has personalization capabilities that allow
you to program certain features to a preferred setting.
All of the features listed may not be available on
your vehicle. Only the features available will be
displayed on your DIC.
The default settings for the features were set when your
vehicle left the factory, but may have been changed
from their default state since then.
To change feature settings, use the following procedure:
Entering Personalization Menu
1. Turn the ignition on while the vehicle is stopped.
2. Press and hold the information and reset buttons at
the same time for one second, then release to enter
the personalization menu.
If the vehicle speed is greater than 2 mph (3 km/h),
only the UNITS menu will be accessible.
3. Press the information button to scroll through the
available personalization menu modes.
Press the reset button to scroll through the available
settings for each mode.
If you do not make a selection within ten seconds,
the display will go back to the previous information
displayed.
Personalization Menu Modes
UNITS
This feature allows you to select the units of
measurement in which the DIC will display the vehicle
information. When UNITS appears on the display, press
and hold the reset button for at least one second to
scroll through the available settings:
ENGLISH (default in United States):All information
will be displayed in English units. For example, distance
will be shown in miles (mi) and fuel economy in miles
per gallon (mpg).
METRIC (default in Canada):All information will be
displayed in metric units. For example, distance will be
shown in kilometers (km) and fuel economy in liters
per 100 kilometers (L/100 km).
Choose one of the available settings and press the
information button to select it and move on to the next
feature.
OIL-LIFE RESET
When this feature is displayed, you can reset the engine
oil life system. To reset the system, seeEngine Oil
Life System on page 5-20. See “OIL LIFE” underDIC
Operation and Displays on page 3-38for more
information.
3-43

LOCK HORN
If your vehicle has remote keyless entry, this feature,
which allows the vehicle’s horn to chirp every time
the lock button on the remote keyless entry transmitter
is pressed, can be enabled or disabled. When LOCK
HORN appears on the display, press and hold the reset
button for at least one second to scroll through the
available settings:
OFF (default):The horn will not chirp on the rst press
of the remote keyless entry transmitter lock button.
The horn will still chirp on the second press.
ON:The horn will chirp on the rst press of the remote
keyless entry transmitter lock button.
SeeRemote Keyless Entry System Operation on
page 2-4for more information.
Choose one of the available settings and press the
information button to select it and move on to the
next feature.
UNLOCK HORN
If your vehicle has remote keyless entry, this feature,
which allows the vehicle’s horn to chirp on the rst press
of the unlock button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter, can be enabled or disabled. When UNLOCK
HORN appears on the display, press and hold the reset
button for at least one second to scroll through the
available settings:
OFF (default):The horn will not chirp when the unlock
button on the remote keyless entry transmitter is pressed.
ON:The horn will chirp on the rst press of the unlock
button on the remote keyless entry transmitter.
SeeRemote Keyless Entry System Operation on
page 2-4for more information.
Choose one of the available settings and press the
information button to select it and move on to the
next feature.
3-44

LIGHT FLASH
If your vehicle has remote keyless entry, this feature,
which allows the vehicle’s exterior hazard/turn signal
lighting to ash every time the lock or unlock button on
the remote keyless entry transmitter is pressed, can
be enabled or disabled. When LIGHT FLASH appears
on the display, press and hold the reset button for
at least one second to scroll through the available
settings:
OFF:The exterior hazard/turn signal lighting will not
ash when the lock or unlock button on the remote
keyless entry transmitter is pressed.
ON (default):The exterior hazard/turn signal lighting
will ash when the lock or unlock button on the remote
keyless entry transmitter is pressed.
SeeRemote Keyless Entry System Operation on
page 2-4for more information.
Choose one of the available settings and press the
information button to select it and move on to the
next feature.
DELAY LOCK
This feature, which delays the actual locking of the
vehicle, can be enabled or disabled. When DELAY
LOCK appears on the display, press and hold the reset
button for at least one second to scroll through the
available settings:
ON (default):The doors will not lock until ve seconds
after the last door is closed. You can temporarily
override delayed locking by pressing the power lock
switch or the lock button on the remote keyless
entry transmitter a second time.
OFF:The doors will lock immediately when pressing
the power lock switch or the lock button on the remote
keyless entry transmitter.
SeePower Door Locks on page 2-8,Delayed Locking
on page 2-8, andRemote Keyless Entry System
Operation on page 2-4for more information.
Choose one of the available settings and press the
information button to select it and move on to the
next feature.
3-45

AUTO UNLK (Unlock)
This feature, which allows the vehicle to automatically
unlock certain doors, can be enabled or disabled. When
AUTO UNLK appears on the display, press and hold
the reset button for at least one second to scroll through
the available settings:
ALL (default):All of the doors will automatically unlock.
DRIVER:The driver’s door will automatically unlock.
NONE:None of the doors will automatically unlock. You
will need to manually unlock the doors.
If you have a manual transaxle vehicle, the door(s) will
automatically unlock when the ignition is turned off.
If you have an automatic transaxle vehicle, you
can select when the automatic unlocking will occur. See
“UNLK (Unlock) (Automatic Transaxle Only)” following.
SeeProgrammable Automatic Door Unlock on page 2-9
for more information.
Choose one of the available settings and press the
information button to select it and move on to the
next feature.
UNLK (Unlock) (Automatic Transaxle Only)
This screen displays only if your vehicle has an
automatic transaxle and DRIVER or ALL is selected
for the AUTO UNLK feature. This feature determines
when the automatic door unlocking will occur. When
UNLK appears on the display, press and hold the reset
button for at least one second to scroll through the
available settings:
KEY OFF:The door(s) will unlock when the ignition is
turned off.
SHIFT TO P (Park) (default):The door(s) will unlock
when the vehicle is shifted into PARK (P).
SeeProgrammable Automatic Door Unlock on page 2-9
for more information.
Choose one of the available settings and press the
information button to select it and move on to the next
feature.
3-46