tow CHEVROLET COBALT 2007 1.G User Guide

Make sure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P)
before starting the engine. Your vehicle has an
automatic transaxle shift lock control system. You
have to fully apply your regular brakes rst and
then press the shift lever button before you
can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition key is in
RUN. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease
pressure on the shift lever and push the shift lever
all the way into PARK (P) as you maintain
brake application. Then press the shift lever button
and then move the shift lever into another gear.
SeeShifting Out of Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle)
on page 126.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving forward could damage
the transaxle. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Shift to
REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of
snow, ice, or sand without damaging your
transaxle, seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 258.NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does
not connect with the wheels. To restart when
you are already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Also, use NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is
being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is rmly on
the brake pedal, your vehicle could move
very rapidly. You could lose control and
hit people or objects. Do not shift into a
drive gear while your engine is running at
high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while the engine is running at
high speed may damage the transaxle.
The repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Be sure the engine is not running at
high speeds when shifting your vehicle.
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DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving with
the automatic transaxle. It provides the best fuel
economy for your vehicle. If you need more power
for passing, and you are:
Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push
your accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h), push
your accelerator all the way down.
Downshifting the transaxle in slippery road
conditions could result in skidding, see “Skidding”
underLoss of Control on page 241.
INTERMEDIATE (I):This position is also used for
normal driving. However, it reduces vehicle speed
without using your brakes for slight downgrades
where the vehicle would otherwise accelerate due
to steepness of grade. If constant upshifting or
downshifting occurs while driving up steep hills, this
position can be used to prevent repetitive types of
shifts. You might choose INTERMEDIATE (I)
instead of DRIVE (D) when driving on hilly, winding
roads and when towing a trailer, so that there is less
shifting between gears.LOW (L):This position reduces vehicle speed
more than INTERMEDIATE (I) without actually
using your brakes. You can use it on very steep
hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the shift lever
is put in LOW (L), the transaxle will not shift into
LOW (L) until the vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill using only the
accelerator pedal may damage the transaxle.
If you are stuck, do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes, or parking
brake to hold the vehicle in place.
120

Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
Your vehicle can roll. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, use
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
the steps that follow. If you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer (Manual
Transaxle) on page 267orTowing a
Trailer (Automatic Transaxle) on page 268.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the
parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding
the button on the shift lever and pushing the
lever all the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
124

Shifting Out of Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic shift
lock release system. The shift lock release is
designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift
lever is in PARK (P) with the shift lever
button fully released, and
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of
PARK (P) unless the ignition is in a position
other than LOCK.
The shift lock release is always functional except
in the case of a an uncharged or low voltage
(less than 9 volt) battery.
If your vehicle has an uncharged battery or a
battery with low voltage, try charging or jump
starting the battery. SeeJump Starting on
page 322for more information.
To shift out of PARK (P) use the following
sequence:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Then press the shift lever button.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.If you still are unable to shift out of PARK (P):
1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press
the shift lever button again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from
PARK (P), consult your dealer or a professional
towing service.Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle)
Before leaving your vehicle, fully press the clutch
pedal in, move the shift lever into REVERSE (R),
and rmly apply the parking brake. Once the
shift lever has been placed in REVERSE (R) with
the clutch pedal pressed in, you can turn the
ignition key to LOCK, remove the key and release
the clutch. SeeManual Transaxle Operation on
page 121.
126

Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust
into your vehicle. See the earlier caution
underEngine Exhaust on page 128.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let
deadly carbon monoxide (CO) into your
vehicle even if the climate control fan is at
the highest setting. One place this can
happen is a garage. Exhaust — with
CO — can come in easily. NEVER park in
a garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 254.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly
set. Your vehicle can roll. Do not leave
your vehicle when the engine is running
unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground,
always set the parking brake and move
the shift lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle
will not move. SeeShifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle) on page 124.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer (Manual
Transaxle) on page 267orTowing a Trailer
(Automatic Transaxle) on page 268.
129

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
If your vehicle has this mirror, it has a lever
located at the bottom of the mirror. The lever is
used to change the mirror from the day to the night
position. To reduce glare from headlamps
behind you while driving at night, pull the lever
toward you. To return the mirror to the day
position, return the lever to its original position.
There may be two reading lamps located on
the bottom of the mirror. Press the button next to
each lamp to turn it on and off.
Manual Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®
If your vehicle has this mirror, it has a lever
located at the bottom of the mirror. The lever is
used to change the mirror from the day to the night
position. To reduce glare from headlamps
behind you while driving at night, pull the lever
toward you. To return the mirror to the day
position, return the lever to its original position.There may be two reading lamps located on the
bottom of the mirror. Press the button next to each
lamp to turn it on and off.
There are also OnStar
®buttons located at the
bottom of the mirror face. See your dealer for more
information on the system and how to subscribe
to OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 132for
more information about the services OnStar®
provides.
Outside Manual Mirror
Adjust your outside mirror so you can just see the
side of your vehicle and have a clear view of objects
behind you. The mirror can be folded in to enter
narrow areas.
Outside Remote Control Mirror
Adjust the driver’s outside mirror with the control
lever located on the driver’s door. Adjust the outside
mirrors so that the side of the vehicle can be seen
while sitting in a comfortable driving position.
To adjust the passenger’s outside mirror, sit in the
driver’s seat and have a passenger adjust the
mirror for you. The mirror is a manual fold design.
130

Outside Power Mirrors
The controls for the
outside power mirrors
are located on the
driver’s door armrest.
Move the selector switch located below the
four-way control pad to the left or right to choose
either the driver’s side or passenger’s side mirror.
To adjust a mirror, use the arrows located on the
four-way control pad to move the mirror in the
desired direction. The mirror will only move right or
left, up or down. Adjust each outside mirror so that
a little of the vehicle and the area behind it can be
seen while sitting in a comfortable driving position.
Keep the selector switch in the center position when
not adjusting either outside mirror.Both mirrors can manually be folded by pulling
them toward the vehicle. This feature may
be useful when going through a car wash or a
conned space. Push the mirrors away from the
vehicle, to the normal position, before driving.
Outside Convex Mirror
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like
other vehicles) look farther away than
they really are. If you cut too sharply into
the right lane, you could hit a vehicle on
your right. Check your inside mirror or
glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
The passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so more can be
seen from the driver’s seat. It also makes things
appear farther away than they really are.
131

Turn and Lane-Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and
two downward (for left) positions. These positions
allow you to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up
or down. When the turn is nished, the lever will
return automatically.
An arrow on the
instrument panel
cluster will ash in the
direction of the turn
or lane change.
To signal a lane change, raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to ash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return
by itself when you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows
ash rapidly, a signal bulb may be burned out and
other drivers will not see your turn signal. If a bulb is
burned out, replace it to help avoid an accident.If the arrows do not go on at all when you signal a
turn, check the fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit
Breakers on page 384.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high
beam, push the turn signal lever away from you.
When the high beams
are on, this light on
the instrument panel
cluster will also be on.
To change the headlamps from high beam to low
beam, pull the turn signal lever toward you.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use your high-beam
headlamps to signal a driver in front of you
that you want to pass.
To use it, pull the turn signal/multifunction lever
toward you until the high-beam headlamps
come on, then release the lever to turn them off.
146

When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will also come on when you set your parking
brake. The light will stay on if your parking brake
does not release fully. If it stays on after your
parking brake is fully released, it means you
have a brake problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. Make sure the parking
brake is fully released. You may notice that the
pedal is harder to push or, the pedal may go closer
to the oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light
is still on, have the vehicle towed for service.
SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 264.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning
light is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you have pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
Your vehicle may
have an Anti-Lock
Brake System (ABS)
warning light.
The ABS warning light will come on briey when
you turn the ignition key to RUN. This is normal.
If the light does not come on then, have it xed so
it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition off, if the light
comes on when you are driving, stop as soon as
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the
engine again to reset the system. If the light still
stays on, or comes on again while you are driving,
your vehicle needs service. If the regular brake
system warning light is not on, you still have brakes,
but you do not have anti-lock brakes. If the regular
brake system warning light is also on, you do not
have anti-lock brakes and there is a problem with
your regular brakes. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 171.
172

If the Light is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage
to your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible
If the light stops ashing and remains on steady,
see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do
so, stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your
vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds
and restart the engine. If the light remains on
steady, see “If the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light is still ashing, follow the previous steps,
and see your dealer for service as soon as
possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully
install the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 285.
The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap
has been left off or improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere. A few driving trips with the cap
properly installed should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle
of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The
condition will usually be corrected when the
electrical system dries out. A few driving trips
should turn the light off.
176