power steering CHEVROLET COBALT 2006 1.G Owners Manual

What Will You See After an
Airbag Inates?
After a frontal airbag inates, it quickly deates,
so quickly that some people may not even realize the
airbag inated. Roof-mounted side impact airbags deate
more slowly and may still be at least partially inated
minutes after the vehicle comes to rest. Some
components of the airbag module — the steering wheel
hub for the driver’s airbag, the instrument panel for the
right front passenger’s airbag or the garnish trim near the
ceiling and the side windows — may be hot for a short
time. The parts of the airbag that come into contact with
you may be warm, but not too hot to touch. There will be
some smoke and dust coming from the vents in the
deated airbags. Airbag ination does not prevent the
driver from seeing out of the windshield or being able to
steer the vehicle, nor does it stop people from leaving
the vehicle.
{CAUTION:
When an airbag inates, there is dust in the
air. This dust could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble. To avoid this, everyone in
the vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe
to do so. If you have breathing problems but
cannot get out of the vehicle after an airbag
inates, then get fresh air by opening a
window or a door. If you experience breathing
problems following an airbag deployment, you
should seek medical attention.
Your vehicle has a feature that may automatically
unlock the doors, turn the interior lamps on, turn the
hazard warning ashers on and turn off the climate
control system when the airbags inate (if battery power
is available). You can lock the doors again, turn the
interior lamps off, turn the hazard warning ashers off
and turn the climate control system on by using the
controls for those features.
1-61

The main components of your instrument panel are the
following:
A. Side Window Outlets. SeeClimate Control System
on page 3-17.
B. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-20.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
D. Cruise Control Buttons (If Equipped). SeeCruise
Control on page 3-10.
E. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped).
SeeAudio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-71.
F. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-23.
G. Hazard Warning Flashers Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
H. Windshield Wiper/Washer Controls. SeeWindshield
Wipers on page 3-9andWindshield Washer on
page 3-10.
I. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-48.
J. Fog Lamp Button (If Equipped). SeeFog Lamps
on page 3-15.K. Trunk Release. SeeTrunk on page 2-10.
L. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. SeeInstrument
Panel Brightness on page 3-15.
M. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
N. Driver Information Control Button. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-38.
O. Cigarette Lighter (If Equipped). Accessory Power
Outlet (If Equipped). SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-17andAccessory Power Outlet(s)
on page 3-16.
P. Shift Lever (Manual Shown). SeeManual Transaxle
Operation on page 2-26andAutomatic Transaxle
Operation on page 2-23.
Q. Climate Controls. SeeClimate Control System on
page 3-17.
R. Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator and Heated
Seats Button (If Equipped). SeePassenger Airbag
Status Indicator on page 3-26andHeated Seats
on page 1-4.
S. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-37.
3-5

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

Audio Steering Wheel Controls
If your vehicle has this feature, some audio controls can
be adjusted at the steering wheel. They include the
following:
xSEEKw:Press the up or the down arrow to go to
the next or to the previous radio station and stay there.
The radio will only seek stations with a strong signal that
are in the selected band.
When a CD is playing, press the up or the down arrow to
go to the next or previous track.
BAND:Press this button to switch between FM1, FM2,
AM, or XM1 or XM2 (if equipped).1–6 (Preset Pushbuttons):Press this button to play
stations that are programmed on the radio preset
pushbuttons. The radio will only seek preset stations
with a strong signal that are in the selected band.
xuw(Volume):Press the up or the down arrow
to increase or to decrease the volume.
0(Mute):Press this button to silence the system.
Press this button again, or any other radio button, to turn
the sound on.
Mute is unavailable when OnStar™ (if equipped) is
active.
SRCE (Source):Press this button to switch between
listening to the radio and a CD. The inactive CD
will remain safely inside the radio for future listening.
Radio Reception
You may experience frequency interference and static
during normal radio reception if items such as cellphone
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.
3-71

Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel
a slight brake pedal pulsation or notice some noise,
but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
At some time, nearly every driver gets into a situation
that requires hard braking.
If you have ABS, you can steer and brake at the same
time. However, if you do not have ABS, your rst
reaction — to hit the brake pedal hard and hold it
down — may be the wrong thing to do. Your wheels can
stop rolling. Once they do, the vehicle cannot respond
to your steering. Momentum will carry it in whatever
direction it was headed when the wheels stopped rolling.
That could be off the road, into the very thing you were
trying to avoid, or into traffic.
If you do not have ABS, use a “squeeze” braking
technique. This will give you maximum braking while
maintaining steering control. You can do this by pushing
on the brake pedal with steadily increasing pressure.In an emergency, you will probably want to squeeze the
brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you hear or feel
the wheels sliding, ease off the brake pedal. This will help
you retain steering control. If you do have ABS, it is
different. SeeAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS) on
page 4-7.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
Your vehicle may have an Enhanced Traction System
(ETS) that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in
slippery road conditions. The system operates only if it
senses that one or both of the front wheels are spinning
or beginning to lose traction. When this happens, the
system reduces engine power and may also upshift the
transaxle to limit wheel spin. You may feel or hear the
system working, but this is normal.
A LOW TRACTION message will appear on the Driver
Information Center (DIC) when the traction control
system is actively limiting wheel spin. Slippery road
conditions may exist if this message is displayed, so
adjust your driving accordingly.
4-9

Limited-Slip Differential
Your vehicle may have this feature. A limited-slip
transaxle can give you additional traction on snow, mud,
ice, sand or gravel. It works like a standard transaxle
most of the time, but when one of the front wheels loses
traction, this feature will allow the wheel with traction
to move the vehicle.
Steering
Electric Power Steering
If the engine stalls while you are driving, the power
steering assist system will continue to operate until you
are able to stop your vehicle. If you lose power steering
assist because the electric power steering system is not
functioning, you can steer, but it will take more effort.
If you turn the steering wheel in either direction several
times until it stops, or hold the steering wheel in the
stopped position for an extended amount of time, you
may notice a reduced amount of power steering
assist. The normal amount of power steering assist
should return shortly after a few normal steering
movements.
The electric power steering system does not require
regular maintenance. If you suspect steering system
problems and/or the POWER STEERING message
comes on, contact your dealer for service repairs.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-40.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves. The
traction of the tires against the road surface makes it
possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn
the front wheels. If there is no traction, inertia will keep
the vehicle going in the same direction. If you have
ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you will
understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at
which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you are
in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.
Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both control
systems — steering and braking — have to do their
work where the tires meet the road. Unless you have
four-wheel anti-lock brakes, adding the hard braking can
demand too much of those places. You can lose control.
The same thing can happen if you are steering through a
sharp curve and you suddenly accelerate. Those two
control systems — steering and acceleration — can
overwhelm those places where the tires meet the road
and make you lose control. SeeEnhanced Traction
System (ETS) on page 4-9.
4-11

Tire Size
The following illustration shows an example of a typical
passenger vehicle tire size.
(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:The United States
version of a metric tire sizing system. The letter P as the
rst character in the tire size means a passenger vehicle
tire engineered to standards set by the U.S. Tire and Rim
Association. A tire size without the letter P as the rst
character is certied to European standards.
(B) Tire Width:The three-digit number indicates the
tire section width in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio:A two-digit number that indicates
the tire height-to-width measurements. For example, if
the tire size aspect ratio is 60, as shown in item C of the
illustration, it would mean that the tire’s sidewall is
60 percent as high as it is wide.(D) Construction Code:A letter code is used to
indicate the type of ply construction in the tire. The
letter R means radial ply construction; the letter D means
diagonal or bias ply construction; and the letter B means
belted-bias ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter:Diameter of the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description:These characters represent
the load range and speed rating of the tire. The load
index represents the load carry capacity a tire is certied
to carry. The load index can range from 1 to 279.
The speed rating is the maximum speed a tire is certied
to carry a load. Speed ratings range from A to Z.
Tire Terminology and Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire. Air pressure
is expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or
kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:This means the combined weight
of optional accessories. Some examples of optional
accessories are, automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio:The relationship of a tire’s height to
its width.
5-60

Fuses Usage
6 Amplier
7 Cluster
8 Ignition Switch, PASS-Key
®III+
9 Stoplamp
10Heating, Ventilation, Air
Conditioning, PASS-Key
®III+
11 Empty
12 Spare
13 Airbag
14 Spare
15 Windshield Wiper
16 Climate Control System, Cluster
17 Empty
18 Empty
19Electric Power Steering, Steering
Wheel Control
20 Sunroof
Fuses Usage
21 Spare
22 Empty
23 Audio System
24Sensing and Diagnostic Module
(Airbag)
25Engine Control Module,
Transmission Control Module
26 Door Locks
27 Interior Lights
28 Empty
29 Power Windows
Relays Usage
30 Climate Control System
31 Empty
32 Retained Accessory Power
5-100

Fuses Usage
SPARES Spares
Blank Not Used
Blank Not Used
RDFG Rear Defogger
COOL/ FAN2 Cooling Fan 2
CRNK Starter
COOL/ FAN 1 Engine Cooling Fan
BCM3 Body Control Module 3
BCM2 Body Control Module 2
FOG LP Fog Lamps
HORN Horn
RH HI BEAM Passenger’s Side High Beam
LH HI BEAM Driver’s Side High Beam
RH LO BEAM Passenger’s Side Low Beam
LH LO BEAM Driver’s Side Low Beam
Blank Not Used
FUEL PMP Fuel PumpFuses Usage
EMISN Emissions
Blank Not Used
INJ Injectors
Blank Not Used
ABS Anti-lock Brake System
PCM/ECMPowertrain Control Module/Engine
Control Module
EPS Electric Power Steering
AIR PMP Air Pump
PRK LPS Park Lamps
WPR Windshield Wiper
IP IGN Ignition
A/C CLTCH Air Conditioning Clutch
AIR SOL Air Solenoid
ABS2 Anti-lock Brake System 2
PRK/NEUT Park, Neutral
ECM/TRANSEngine Control Module,
Transmission
5-102

Fuses Usage
SPARES Spares
Blank Not Used
Blank Not Used
RDFG Rear Defogger
COOL/ FAN2 Cooling Fan 2
CRNK Starter
COOL/ FAN 1 Engine Cooling Fan
BCM3 Body Control Module 3
BCM2 Body Control Module 2
FOG LP Fog Lamps
HORN Horn
RH LO BEAM Passenger’s Side Low Beam
LH LO BEAM Driver’s Side Low Beam
RH HI BEAM Passenger’s Side High Beam
LH HI BEAM Driver’s Side High Beam
Blank Not Used
FUEL PMP Fuel PumpFuses Usage
EMISN Emissions
Blank Not Used
INJ Injectors
Blank Not Used
ABS Anti-lock Brake System
PCM/ECMPowertrain Control Module/Engine
Control Module
EPS Electric Power Steering
Blank Not Used
PRK LPS Park Lamps
WPR Windshield Wiper
IP IGN Ignition
A/C CLTCH Air Conditioning Clutch
AFTRCOOL Aftercooler
ABS2 Anti-lock Brake System
PRK/NEUT Park, Neutral
ECM/TRANSEngine Control Module,
Transmission
5-105