CHEVROLET COBALT 2007 1.G Owners Manual

A. Cover
B. Retainer
C. Jack and Wheel Wrench
D. Stow Bolt Extension Rod
E. Spare Tire
F. Foam Support
G. Bolt
To store a at or spare tire and tools:
1. Remove the stow bolt extension rod and
sleeve from the jack.
2. Screw the stow bolt extension rod and
the sleeve into the existing spare tire
hold-down bolt.
3. If your vehicle has aluminum wheels, rst
remove the center cap with your hand or
the wheel wrench.
4. Place the at tire face down into the spare tire
tub. Avoid scraping the aluminum wheel, if the
vehicle has one, on the hold-down bolt.
5. Re-attach the wheel wrench to the jack.
6. Place the jack into the center of the at tire,
being careful not to scratch the inside of
the wheel.
Uplevel Model
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7. Place the smaller jack hold-down nut (base
models only) in a safe place for use when
you put the compact spare tire back into
the trunk.
8. Remove the plastic sleeve from the stow bolt
extension rod. Secure the jack and road
wheel using the larger plastic retainer.
The compact spare tire is for temporary use only.
Replace the compact spare with a full-size tire
as soon as possible.
Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare tire was fully inated
when the vehicle was new, it can lose air after
a time. Check the ination pressure regularly.
It should be 60 psi (420 kPa).
After installing the compact spare on the vehicle,
stop as soon as possible and make sure the spare
tire is correctly inated. The compact spare is made
to perform well at speeds up to 65 mph (105 km/h)
for distances up to 3,000 miles (5 000 km), so you
can nish your trip and have the full-size tire
repaired or replaced at your convenience.Of course, it is best to replace the spare with a
full-size tire as soon as possible. The spare tire
will last longer and be in good shape in case it is
needed again.
Notice:When the compact spare is installed,
do not take your vehicle through an automatic
car wash with guide rails. The compact spare
can get caught on the rails. That can damage
the tire and wheel, and maybe other parts of
your vehicle.
Do not use the compact spare on other vehicles.
And do not mix the compact spare tire or
wheel with other wheels or tires. They will not t.
Keep the spare tire and its wheel together.
Notice:Tire chains will not t your compact
spare. Using them can damage your vehicle
and can damage the chains too. Do not use
tire chains on your compact spare.
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Appearance Care
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Your vehicle’s interior will continue to look its best
if it is cleaned often. Although not always visible,
dust and dirt can accumulate on your upholstery.
Dirt can damage carpet, fabric, leather, and plastic
surfaces. Regular vacuuming is recommended
to remove particles from your upholstery. It is
important to keep your upholstery from becoming
and remaining heavily soiled. Soils should be
removed as quickly as possible. Your vehicle’s
interior may experience extremes of heat that
could cause stains to set rapidly.
Lighter colored interiors may require more
frequent cleaning. Use care because newspapers
and garments that transfer color to your home
furnishings may also transfer color to your
vehicle’s interior.
When cleaning your vehicle’s interior, only use
cleaners specically designed for the surfaces
being cleaned. Permanent damage may result from
using cleaners on surfaces for which they were
not intended. Use glass cleaner only on glass.Remove any accidental over-spray from other
surfaces immediately. To prevent over-spray,
apply cleaner directly to the cleaning cloth.
Notice:If you use abrasive cleaners when
cleaning glass surfaces on your vehicle, you
could scratch the glass and/or cause damage
to the rear window defogger. When cleaning
the glass on your vehicle, use only a soft cloth
and glass cleaner.
Many cleaners contain solvents that may become
concentrated in your vehicle’s breathing space.
Before using cleaners, read and adhere to all
safety instructions on the label. While cleaning your
vehicle’s interior, maintain adequate ventilation by
opening your vehicle’s doors and windows.
Dust may be removed from small buttons and
knobs using a small brush with soft bristles.
Your dealer has a product for cleaning your
vehicle’s glass. Should it become necessary,
you can also obtain a product from your dealer
to remove odors from your vehicle’s upholstery.
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Do not clean your vehicle using the following
cleaners or techniques:
Never use a knife or any other sharp object
to remove a soil from any interior surface.
Never use a stiff brush. It can cause damage
to your vehicle’s interior surfaces.
Never apply heavy pressure or rub
aggressively with a cleaning cloth. Use of
heavy pressure can damage your interior
and does not improve the effectiveness of
soil removal.
Use only mild, neutral-pH soaps. Avoid
laundry detergents or dishwashing soaps with
degreasers. Using too much soap will leave a
residue that leaves streaks and attracts dirt.
For liquid cleaners, about 20 drops per gallon
(3.78 L) of water is a good guide.
Do not heavily saturate your upholstery while
cleaning.
Damage to your vehicle’s interior may result
from the use of many organic solvents such as
naptha, alcohol, etc.
Fabric/Carpet
Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment
frequently to remove dust and loose dirt. A canister
vacuum with a beater bar in the nozzle may only
be used on oor carpet and carpeted oor mats.
For soils, always try to remove them rst with plain
water or club soda. Before cleaning, gently remove
as much of the soil as possible using one of the
following techniques:
For liquids: gently blot the remaining soil with a
paper towel. Allow the soil to absorb into the
paper towel until no more can be removed.
For solid dry soils: remove as much as possible
and then vacuum.
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To clean, use the following instructions:
1. Saturate a lint-free, clean white cloth with
water or club soda.
2. Wring the cloth to remove excess moisture.
3. Start on the outside edge of the soil and gently
rub toward the center. Continue cleaning,
using a clean area of the cloth each time it
becomes soiled.
4. Continue to gently rub the soiled area until the
cleaning cloth remains clean.
5. If the soil is not completely removed, use a
mild soap solution and repeat the cleaning
process that was used with plain water.
If any of the soil remains, a commercial fabric
cleaner or spot lifter may be necessary. When a
commercial upholstery cleaner or spot lifter is to be
used, test a small hidden area for colorfastness
rst. If the locally cleaned area gives any
impression that a ring formation may result,
clean the entire surface.
After the cleaning process has been completed,
a paper towel can be used to blot excess moisture
from the fabric or carpet.Leather
A soft cloth dampened with water may be used
to remove dust. If a more thorough cleaning is
necessary, a soft cloth dampened with a mild
soap solution can be used. Allow the leather to
dry naturally. Do not use heat to dry. Never use
steam to clean leather. Never use spot lifters or
spot removers on leather. Many commercial leather
cleaners and coatings that are sold to preserve
and protect leather may permanently change the
appearance and feel of your leather and are not
recommended. Do not use silicone or wax-based
products, or those containing organic solvents to
clean your vehicle’s interior because they can
alter the appearance by increasing the gloss in a
non-uniform manner. Never use shoe polish on
your leather.
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Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and
Other Plastic Surfaces
A soft cloth dampened with water may be used
to remove dust. If a more thorough cleaning
is necessary, a clean soft cloth dampened
with a mild soap solution can be used to gently
remove dust and dirt. Never use spot lifters
or removers on plastic surfaces. Many commercial
cleaners and coatings that are sold to preserve
and protect soft plastic surfaces may permanently
change the appearance and feel of your interior
and are not recommended. Do not use silicone or
wax-based products, or those containing organic
solvents to clean your vehicle’s interior because
they can alter the appearance by increasing
the gloss in a non-uniform manner.
Some commercial products may increase gloss on
your instrument panel. The increase in gloss may
cause annoying reections in the windshield and
even make it difficult to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.
Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
{CAUTION:
Do not bleach or dye safety belts. If you
do, it may severely weaken them. In a
crash, they might not be able to provide
adequate protection. Clean safety belts
only with mild soap and lukewarm water.
Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them
last longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak.
Apply silicone grease with a clean cloth. During
very cold, damp weather frequent application may
be required. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 406.
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Washing Your Vehicle
The paint nish on the vehicle provides beauty,
depth of color, gloss retention, and durability.
The best way to preserve the vehicle’s nish is to
keep it clean by washing it often with lukewarm
or cold water.
Do not wash the vehicle in the direct rays of the
sun. Use a car washing soap. Do not use strong
soaps or chemical detergents. Be sure to rinse the
vehicle well, removing all soap residue completely.
Approved cleaning products can be obtained from
your dealer. SeeVehicle Care/Appearance
Materials on page 381. Do not use cleaning agents
that are petroleum based, or that contain acid or
abrasives. All cleaning agents should be ushed
promptly and not allowed to dry on the surface, or
they could stain. Dry the nish with a soft, clean
chamois or an all-cotton towel to avoid surface
scratches and water spotting.
High pressure car washes may cause water to
enter the vehicle.
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses
Use only lukewarm or cold water, a soft cloth
and a car washing soap to clean exterior lamps
and lenses. Follow instructions underWashing
Your Vehicle on page 377.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of the vehicle
by hand may be necessary to remove residue
from the paint nish. Approved cleaning products
can be obtained from your dealer. SeeVehicle
Care/Appearance Materials on page 381.
Notice:Machine compounding or aggressive
polishing on a basecoat/clearcoat paint nish
may damage it. Use only non-abrasive waxes
and polishes that are made for a basecoat/
clearcoat paint nish on your vehicle.
The vehicle has a basecoat/clearcoat paint nish.
The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the
colored basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes
that are non-abrasive and made for a basecoat/
clearcoat paint nish.
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Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and
other salts, ice melting agents, road oil and
tar, tree sap, bird droppings, chemicals from
industrial chimneys, etc., can damage the vehicle’s
nish if they remain on painted surfaces. Wash
the vehicle as soon as possible. If necessary,
use non-abrasive cleaners that are marked safe
for painted surfaces to remove foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging,
weather, and chemical fallout that can take their
toll over a period of years. To help keep the
paint nish looking new, keep the vehicle in
a garage or covered whenever possible.
Windshield and Wiper Blades
Clean the outside of the windshield with
glass cleaner.
Clean the rubber blades using a lint free cloth or
paper towel soaked with windshield washer uid or
a mild detergent. Wash the windshield thoroughly
when cleaning the blades. Bugs, road grime,
sap, and a buildup of vehicle wash/wax treatments
may cause wiper streaking. Replace the wiper
blades if they are worn or damaged.Wipers can be damaged by:
Extreme dusty conditions
Sand and salt
Heat and sun
Snow and ice, without proper removal
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated
Wheels and Trim
Your vehicle may have either aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels.
Keep the wheels clean using a soft clean cloth
with mild soap and water. Rinse with clean water.
After rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft clean
towel. A wax may then be applied.
Notice:Chrome wheels and other chrome trim
may be damaged if you do not wash your
vehicle after driving on roads that have been
sprayed with magnesium, calcium or sodium
chloride. These chlorides are used on roads
for conditions such as ice and dust. Always
wash your vehicle’s chrome with soap
and water after exposure.
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Notice:If you use strong soaps, chemicals,
abrasive polishes, cleaners, brushes, or
cleaners that contain acid on aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels, you could damage
the surface of the wheel(s). The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
Use only approved cleaners on aluminum
or chrome-plated wheels.
The surface of these wheels is similar to the
painted surface of your vehicle. Do not use strong
soaps, chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive
cleaners, cleaners with acid, or abrasive cleaning
brushes on them because you could damage
the surface. Do not use chrome polish on
aluminum wheels.
Notice:Using chrome polish on aluminum
wheels could damage the wheels. The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
Use chrome polish on chrome wheels only.
Use chrome polish only on chrome-plated wheels,
but avoid any painted surface of the wheel, and
buff off immediately after application.Notice:If you drive your vehicle through an
automatic car wash that has silicone carbide
tire cleaning brushes, you could damage the
aluminum or chrome-plated wheels. The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Never
drive a vehicle equipped with aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels through an automatic
car wash that uses silicone carbide tire cleaning
brushes.
Tires
To clean the tires, use a stiff brush with tire
cleaner.
Notice:Using petroleum-based tire dressing
products on your vehicle may damage the
paint nish and/or tires. When applying a
tire dressing, always wipe off any overspray
from all painted surfaces on your vehicle.
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Sheet Metal Damage
If the vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair or replacement, make sure the body repair
shop applies anti-corrosion material to parts
repaired or replaced to restore corrosion protection.
Original manufacturer replacement parts will
provide the corrosion protection while maintaining
the warranty.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in
the nish should be repaired right away. Bare
metal will corrode quickly and may develop into
major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with
touch-up materials available from your dealer.
Larger areas of nish damage can be corrected
in your dealer’s body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect on the underbody. If these are
not removed, corrosion and rust can develop on the
underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame, oor pan,
and exhaust system even though they have
corrosion protection.
At least every spring, ush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where
mud and debris can collect. Dirt packed in close
areas of the frame should be loosened before being
ushed. Your dealer or an underbody car washing
system can do this for you.
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