CHEVROLET COBALT 2008 1.G Owners Manual

This position must be selected in order for the Wiper
Activated Headlamps to be activated. SeeWiper
Activated Headlamps on page 3-13.
P(Off/On):When operating in AUTO, a momentary
turn of the switch to Off/On will turn the Automatic
Headlamp System off or back on. For vehicles rst sold
in Canada, the transmission must be in the PARK (P)
position, before the Automatic Headlamp System can be
turned off.
Wiper Activated Headlamps
This feature activates the headlamps and parking lamps
after the windshield wipers are turned on. For this
feature to work, automatic lighting must be enabled.
SeeHeadlamps on page 3-12for additional information.
When the ignition is turned off, the wiper-activated
headlamps will immediately turn off. They will also turn
off 15 seconds after the windshield wiper control is
turned off.
Headlamps on Reminder
If the driver’s door is opened with the ignition off and
the lamps on, a warning chime will sound. This lets you
know that the headlamps are still on.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional
daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles
rst sold in Canada. The vehicle has a light sensor on
top of the instrument panel. Make sure it is not covered,
or the head lamps will be on when not needed.
The DRL system will make the headlamps come on
when the following conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamps control is in AUTO or the
parking lamps only position.
The light sensor detects daytime light.
The parking brake is released.
When the DRL system is on, the taillamps, sidemarker
lamps, parking lamps, and instrument panel lights
will not be illuminated unless you have turned the
exterior lamps control to the parking lamp position.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
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Fog Lamps
If equipped, the fog lamp
button is located on the
instrument panel, to the left
of the steering wheel.
The ignition must be on to turn your fog lamps on.
Push the button to turn the fog lamps on. An indicator
light on the cluster will come on when the fog lamps are
on. Push the button again to turn the fog lamps off.
The parking lamps will automatically turn on and
off when the fog lamps are turned on and off.
The fog lamps will turn off while the high-beam
headlamps are turned on.
Some localities have laws that require the headlamps to
be on along with the fog lamps.
Instrument Panel Brightness
The control for this feature
is located on the
instrument panel to the left
of the steering wheel.
Turn the knob clockwise to brighten the lights or
counterclockwise to dim the instrument panel lights,
when the headlamps are on.
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Dome Lamp
Your vehicle may have a dome lamp.
9(Off):Move the lever to this position to turn the
lamp off, even when a door is opened.
1(Door):Move the lever to this position to turn the
lamp on whenever a door is opened.
+(On):Move the lever to this position to turn the
dome lamp on.
Entry/Exit Lighting
The lamps inside the vehicle will go on when any door
is opened. These lamps fade out about 20 seconds
after all of the doors have been closed or when
the ignition is turned to ON/RUN. These lamps will also
go on when pressing the trunk release, unlock symbol,
or the horn symbol button on the Remote Keyless Entry
System (RKE) Transmitter.
After the key is removed from the ignition, the lamps
inside the vehicle stay on for about 20 seconds to
provide an illuminated exit.
Mirror Reading Lamps
Your vehicle may have reading lamps on the rearview
mirror. Push the button to turn the reading lamps on
and off.
Electric Power Management
This vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM),
an advanced control system. It estimates the battery’s
temperature and state of charge and then adjusts
the voltage for best performance and extended life of
the battery.
When the battery’s state of charge is low, the voltage is
raised slightly to quickly put the charge back in. When
the state of charge is high, the voltage is lowered slightly
to prevent overcharging. If the vehicle has a voltmeter
gage or voltage display on the Driver Information
Center (DIC), you may see the voltage move up or
down. This is normal. If there is a problem, an alert will
be displayed.
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The battery can be discharged at idle if the electrical
loads are very high. This is true for all vehicles.
This is because the generator (alternator) may not be
spinning fast enough at idle to produce all the power that
is needed for very high electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when several of the
following loads are on: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger, climate control fan at high
speed, heated seats, engine cooling fans, trailer
loads, and loads plugged into accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s output
and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It can increase
engine idle speed to generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce the power demands of
some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels, without
being noticeable. In rare cases at the highest levels
of corrective action, this action may be noticeable to
the driver.Battery Run-Down Protection
Your vehicle has a battery saver feature designed to
protect the vehicle’s battery.
When any interior lamp is left on and the ignition is
turned off, the battery rundown protection system
automatically turns the lamp off after 20 minutes.
This prevents draining of the battery.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
Accessory power outlets can be used to connect
electrical equipment such as a cellular phone or
CB radio.
The accessory power outlet is located in the center
console, rearward of the shift lever.
To use the accessory power outlet, remove the cover.
When not in use, always cover the accessory power
outlet with the protective cap.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain the battery. Always turn
off electrical equipment when not in use and do not
plug in equipment that exceeds the maximum
amperage rating of 20 amperes.
3-16

Certain electrical accessories may not be compatible
with the accessory power outlet and could result
in blown vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience a
problem, see your dealer/retailer for additional
information on the accessory power outlet.
Notice:Adding any electrical equipment to your
vehicle may damage it or keep other components
from working as they should. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Do not use equipment
exceeding maximum amperage rating of 20 amperes.
Check with your dealer/retailer before adding
electrical equipment.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to
follow the installation instructions included with the
equipment.
Notice:Improper use of the power outlet can cause
damage not covered by your warranty. Do not
hang any type of accessory or accessory bracket
from the plug because the power outlets are
designed for accessory power plugs only.Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
Your vehicle may have an ashtray and cigarette lighter.
To use the lighter, located on the instrument panel
below the climate controls, push it in all the way and let
go. When it is ready, it will pop back out by itself.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating will not allow the lighter to back away from
the heating element when it is hot. Damage from
overheating may occur to the lighter or heating
element, or a fuse could be blown. Do not hold a
cigarette lighter in while it is heating. Do not
use equipment exceeding maximum amperage rating
of 15 amperes.
To clean the center console ashtray, remove the entire
ashtray and empty it.
Notice:If you put papers, pins, or other ammable
items in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other
smoking materials could ignite them and possibly
damage your vehicle. Never put ammable items in
the ashtray.
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Climate Controls
Climate Control System
The heating, cooling, and ventilation for the vehicle can
be controlled with this system.
Operation
To change the current mode, select one of the following:
H(Vent):The air is directed though the instrument
panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):The air is split between the instrument
panel outlets and the oor outlets. Cooler air is
directed to the upper outlets and warmer air to the oor
outlets.
6(Floor):Most of the air is directed through the oor
outlets with some air directed to the windshield and
side windows.
The left knob can also be used to select defog or
defrost mode. Information on defogging and defrosting
can be found later in this section.
9(Fan):Turn the center knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.
In any setting other than off, the fan will run continuously
with the ignition on. The fan must be turned on to run
the air conditioning compressor.
9(Off):To turn the fan off, turn the knob all the way
counterclockwise to the off position. Vehicles with Air Conditioning shown,
without Air Conditioning similar
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Temperature Control:Turn the right knob clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or decrease the
temperature inside the vehicle.
h(Recirculation):Press this button to prevent
outside air and odors from entering the vehicle or to help
heat or cool the air inside the vehicle more quickly.
An indicator light above the button will come on in this
mode. The air conditioning compressor also comes on.
This mode is not available for oor, defog and defrost
modes. When the recirculation button is pressed, the
recirculate indicator light will ash ve times and outside
air will be delivered. Operation in this mode during
periods of high humidity and cool outside temperatures
may result in increased window fogging. If window
fogging is experienced, select the defrost mode.
Outside Air:This mode allows outside air to circulate
through the vehicle. This mode is automatically
active if recirculate is not selected. There is no button
for outside air.
#(Air Conditioning):If your vehicle has air
conditioning, press this button to turn the air conditioning
system on or off. When this button is pressed, an
indicator light above the button comes on to show that
the air conditioning is activated.On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside air
escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the time
it takes for the vehicle to cool down. It also helps the
system to operate more efficiently.
For quick cool down on hot days:
1. Select the
Hmode.
2. Select the
hmode.
3. Select
#.
4. Select the coolest temperature.
5. Select the highest fan speed.
Using these settings together for long periods of time
may cause the air inside of the vehicle to become
too dry. To prevent this from happening, after the air in
the vehicle has cooled, turn off the recirculation by
pressing the button again.
The air conditioning system removes moisture from the
air, so a small amount of water might drip underneath
the vehicle while idling or after turning off the engine.
This is normal.
The air conditioning compressor cannot be turned on
when the fan is off.
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Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
(moisture) condensing on the cool window glass.
This can be minimized if the climate control system is
used properly. There are two modes to clear fog or frost
from the windshield and side windows. When either
the defrost or defog mode is selected the system runs
the air conditioning compressor.
Turn the left knob to select the defog or defrost mode.
-(Defog):Use the defog mode to clear the windows
of fog or moisture and warm the passengers. Half of
the air is directed to the windshield and side window
outlets and the remaining to the oor outlets. To defog
the windows faster, turn the temperature control
knob clockwise to the warmest setting.
0(Defrost):Use the defrost mode to remove fog or
frost from the windshield more quickly. Most of the
air is directed to the windshield, with some air directed
to the side window outlets and the oor outlets.
To defrost the windows faster, turn the temperature
control knob clockwise to the warmest setting.
For best results, clear all snow and ice from the
windshield before defrosting.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog from the rear window.
The rear window defogger will only work when the
ignition is in ON/RUN.
<(Rear):Press the button to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. Be sure to clear as much snow from
the rear window as possible. An indicator light above
the button comes on to show that the rear window
defogger is activated.
The rear window defogger turns off about 15 minutes
after the button is pressed. If turned on again, the
defogger only runs for about seven minutes before
turning off. If the vehicle is moving faster than 50 mph
(80 kph), the rear defogger will stay on. The defogger
can also be turned off by pressing the button again or by
turning off the engine.
Notice:Do not use anything sharp on the inside
of the rear window. If you do, you could cut or
damage the warming grid, and the repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Do not attach a
temporary vehicle license, tape, a decal or anything
similar to the defogger grid.
3-20

Outlet Adjustment
Use the thumbwheels located next to and below the air
outlets to change the direction of the airow and to
open and close the outlets.
Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the ow of air into your vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of your vehicle more
effectively.
Passenger Compartment Air Filter
Passenger compartment air, both outside air and
recirculated air, is routed through a passenger
compartment lter. The lter removes certain particles
from the air, including pollen and dust particles.
Reductions in airow, which may occur more quickly
in dusty areas, indicate that the lter needs to be
replaced early.The lter should be replaced as part of routine
scheduled maintenance. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4for replacement intervals. See your
dealer/retailer for details on changing the lter.
To nd out what type of lter to use, seeMaintenance
Replacement Parts on page 6-14.
To access the passenger compartment air lter you
must go through the glove box.
1. Open the glove box and remove all articles from
the inside.
2. Tilt the glove box door down by squeezing on each
side of the glove box until the door can be lowered
from its track. Lower the glove box door.
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3. Open the passenger compartment air lter door by
reaching through the opening in the back of the
glove box and raising the tab until the door can be
opened downward.4. Remove the lter by sliding it out of the housing.
When installing a new air lter make sure the AIR FLOW
arrow is pointing downward. Reverse Steps 1 through
5 making sure the glove box door goes back into place.
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