Chevrolet 2005 Owner's manual

Seats and Restraint Systems

........................... 1-1

Front Seats

............................................... 1-2

Rear Seats

............................................... 1-8

Safety Belts

.............................................. 1-9

Child Restraints

....................................... 1-29

Airbag System

......................................... 1-48

Restraint System Check

............................ 1-57

Features and Controls

..................................... 2-1

Keys

........................................................ 2-2

Doors and Locks

....................................... 2-7

Windows

................................................. 2-11

Theft-Deterrent Systems

............................ 2-13

Starting and Operating Your Vehicle

........... 2-16

Mirrors

.................................................... 2-31

OnStar

®

System

...................................... 2-32

Storage Areas

......................................... 2-33

Sunroof

.................................................. 2-34

Instrument Panel

............................................. 3-1

Instrument Panel Overview

.......................... 3-4

Climate Controls

...................................... 3-17

Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators

........ 3-21

Driver Information Center (DIC)

.................. 3-35

Audio System(s)

....................................... 3-45

Driving Your Vehicle

....................................... 4-1

Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle

..... 4-2

Towing

................................................... 4-35

Service and Appearance Care

.......................... 5-1

Service

..................................................... 5-3

Fuel

......................................................... 5-5

Checking Things Under the Hood

............... 5-10

Headlamp Aiming

..................................... 5-44

Bulb Replacement

.................................... 5-47

Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement

......... 5-53

Tires

...................................................... 5-54

Appearance Care

..................................... 5-81

Vehicle Identiﬁcation

................................. 5-89

Electrical System

...................................... 5-90

Capacities and Speciﬁcations

..................... 5-97

Maintenance Schedule

..................................... 6-1

Maintenance Schedule

................................ 6-2

Customer Assistance and Information

.............. 7-1

Customer Assistance and Information

........... 7-2

Reporting Safety Defects

........................... 7-10

Index

................................................................ 1

2005 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Manual M

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem,

CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem, and the

name COBALT are registered trademarks of General

Motors Corporation.

This manual includes the latest information at the time it

was printed. We reserve the right to make changes

after that time without further notice. For vehicles ﬁrst

sold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors of

Canada Limited” for Chevrolet Motor Division whenever

it appears in this manual.

Keep this manual in the vehicle, so it will be there if it is

needed while you are on the road. If the vehicle is

sold, leave this manual in the vehicle.

Canadian Owners

A French language copy of this manual can be obtained

from your dealer or from:

Helm, Incorporated

P.O. Box 07130

Detroit, MI 48207

How to Use This Manual

Many people read the owner manual from beginning to

end when they ﬁrst receive their new vehicle. If this

is done, it can help you learn about the features

and controls for the vehicle. Pictures and words work

together in the owner manual to explain things.

Index

A good place to quickly locate information about the

vehicle is the Index in the back of the manual. It is an

alphabetical list of what is in the manual and the

page number where it can be found.

Litho in U.S.A.

Part No. 05COBALT A First Edition

©

ii

Safety Warnings and Symbols

There are a number of safety cautions in this book. We

use a box and the word CAUTION to tell about things

that could hurt you if you were to ignore the warning.

{CAUTION:

These mean there is something that could hurt

you or other people.

In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is.

Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce the

hazard. Please read these cautions. If you do not,

you or others could be hurt.

You will also ﬁnd a circle

with a slash through it in

this book. This safety

symbol means “Do Not,”

“Do Not do this” or “Do Not

let this happen.”

iii

Vehicle Damage Warnings

Also, in this manual you will ﬁnd these notices:

Notice: These mean there is something that could

damage your vehicle.

A notice tells about something that can damage the

vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be covered

by your vehicle’s warranty, and it could be costly. But

the notice will tell what to do to help avoid the damage.

When you read other manuals, you might see

CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different colors

or in different words.

There are also warning labels on the vehicle. They use

the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.

Vehicle Symbols

The vehicle has components and labels that use

symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along with

the text describing the operation or information

relating to a speciﬁc component, control, message,

gage, or indicator.

If you need help ﬁguring out a speciﬁc name of a

component, gage, or indicator, reference the

following topics:

• Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1

• Features and Controls in Section 2

• Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3

• Climate Controls in Section 3

• Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators in Section 3

• Audio System(s) in Section 3

• Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5

iv

These are some examples of symbols that may be found on the vehicle:

v

✍ NOTES

vi

Front Seats ......................................................1-2

Manual Seats ................................................1-2

Driver Seat Height Adjuster ..............................1-3

Manual Lumbar ..............................................1-3

Heated Seats .................................................1-4

Reclining Seatbacks ........................................1-4

Head Restraints .............................................1-6

Easy Entry Seat .............................................1-7

Rear Seats .......................................................1-8

Split Folding Rear Seat ...................................1-8

Safety Belts .....................................................1-9

Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone .................1-9

Questions and Answers About Safety Belts ......1-14

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly .................1-14

Driver Position ..............................................1-15

Shoulder Belt Height Adjustment .....................1-21

Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy ..................1-22

Right Front Passenger Position .......................1-22

Rear Seat Passengers ..................................1-22

Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children

and Small Adults .......................................1-25

Safety Belt Pretensioners ...............................1-28

Safety Belt Extender .....................................1-28

Child Restraints .............................................1-29

Older Children ..............................................1-29

Infants and Young Children ............................1-32

Child Restraint Systems .................................1-35

Where to Put the Restraint .............................1-38

Top Strap ....................................................1-39

Top Strap Anchor Location .............................1-40

Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for

Children (LATCH System) ...........................1-41

Securing a Child Restraint Designed for

the LATCH System ....................................1-43

Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear

Seat Position ............................................1-43

Securing a Child Restraint in the Right

Front Seat Position ....................................1-46

Airbag System ...............................................1-48

Where Are the Airbags? ................................1-50

When Should an Airbag Inﬂate? .....................1-53

What Makes an Airbag Inﬂate? .......................1-54

How Does an Airbag Restrain? .......................1-54

What Will You See After an Airbag Inﬂates? .....1-55

Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle ...........1-57

Restraint System Check ..................................1-57

Checking the Restraint Systems ......................1-57

Replacing Restraint System Parts

After a Crash ............................................1-58

Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems

1-1

Front Seats

Manual Seats

{CAUTION:

You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to

adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle

is moving. The sudden movement could startle

and confuse you, or make you push a pedal

when you do not want to. Adjust the driver’s

seat only when the vehicle is not moving.

Your vehicle has manual seats. Lift the bar located

under the front of the seat to unlock it. Slide the seat to

where you want it and release the bar. Try to move

the seat with your body to be sure the seat is locked

in place.

1-2

Driver Seat Height Adjuster

The driver’s seat height adjuster is located on the

outboard side of the seat.

To raise the seat, move the lever upward repetitively

until the seat is at the desired height. To lower the seat,

move the lever downward repetitively until the seat is

at the desired height.

Manual Lumbar

If your vehicle has this feature, the knob is located on

the front of the driver seat lower cushion.

Turn the knob clockwise or counterclockwise to increase

or decrease the lumbar support.

1-3

Heated Seats

Your vehicle may have heated front seats. This feature

heats the seat cushions. The switches are located on the

instrument panel above the climate control system.

Press the side of the

switch with the double

indicator lights to turn on

the heated seat at the

highest setting.

Both indicator lights will be lit to indicate that the setting

is on high. Press the side of the switch with the single

indicator light to go to the low setting. The indicator light

will be lit to indicate that the setting is on low. Return

the switch to the center to turn off the heated seat.

If your vehicle has been turned off, the last heated seat

setting will be retained when the vehicle is started again.

Reclining Seatbacks

Your vehicle has reclining seatbacks. The lever is

located on the outboard side of the seats. Lift the lever

to release the seatback. Move the seatback to where

you want it and release the lever to lock the seatback in

place. Press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is

locked into place.

Driver’s Side Switch,

Passenger’s Side

Similar

1-4

{CAUTION:

If the seatback is not locked, it could move

forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could

cause injury to the person sitting there. Always

press rearward on the seatback to be sure it

is locked.

But do not have a seatback reclined if your vehicle

is moving.

{CAUTION:

Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle

is in motion can be dangerous. Even if you

buckle up, your safety belts can not do their

job when you are reclined like this.

The shoulder belt can not do its job because it

will not be against your body. Instead, it will be

in front of you. In a crash you could go into it,

receiving neck or other injuries.

The lap belt can not do its job either. In a crash

the belt could go up over your abdomen. The

belt forces would be there, not at your pelvic

bones. This could cause serious internal

injuries.

For proper protection when the vehicle is in

motion, have the seatback upright. Then sit well

back in the seat and wear your safety belt

properly.

1-5

Head Restraints

Press the button on the

side of the head restraint

to adjust it.

Adjust your head restraint so that the top of the restraint

is closest to the top of your head. This position

reduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash.

1-6

Easy Entry Seat

{CAUTION:

If the easy entry right front seat is not locked,

it can move. In a sudden stop or crash, the

person sitting there could be injured. After you

have used it, be sure to push rearward on an

easy entry seat to be sure it is locked.

{CAUTION:

If the seatback is not locked, it could move

forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could

cause injury to the person sitting there. Always

press rearward on the seatback to be sure it

is locked.

If your vehicle has this feature, the front passenger seat

can be used to easily get in and out of the rear seat.

To use the easy entry seat, do the following:

1. Push down the easy entry seat handle located on

the rear of the seatback on the outboard side to

release the seatback.

2. Tilt the seatback forward completely while pushing

the seat forward.

3. Move the seatback to its original position after

someone gets into the rear seat area. Make

sure the seatback is locked.

4. Move the seat rearward until it locks into place.

1-7

Rear Seats

Split Folding Rear Seat

You can fold either side of the rear seatback down for

more cargo space.

To lower the rear seatback, follow these steps:

1. Open the trunk and pull one or both of the small

handles located in the center of the trunk.

2. Once the handle is pulled, the seatback can be

pushed open through the trunk, or pulled open

from the inside of the vehicle.

To raise the rear seatback, lift it up and push rearward

until you hear a click. Push and pull on the seatback

to be sure it is locked into place.

1-8

{CAUTION:

If the seatback is not locked, it could move

forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could

cause injury to the person sitting there. Always

pull forward on the top of the seatback at the

area of the latch to be sure it is locked.

{CAUTION:

A safety belt that is improperly routed, not

properly attached, or twisted will not provide

the protection needed in a crash. The person

wearing the belt could be seriously injured.

After raising the rear seatback, always check

to be sure that the safety belts are properly

routed and attached, and are not twisted.

Safety Belts

Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone

This part of the manual tells you how to use safety

belts properly. It also tells you some things you should

not do with safety belts.

{CAUTION:

Do not let anyone ride where he or she can not

wear a safety belt properly. If you are in a

crash and you are not wearing a safety belt,

your injuries can be much worse. You can hit

things inside the vehicle or be ejected from it.

You can be seriously injured or killed. In the

same crash, you might not be, if you are

buckled up. Always fasten your safety belt,

and check that your passengers’ belts are

fastened properly too.

1-9

{CAUTION:

It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo

area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a

collision, people riding in these areas are more

likely to be seriously injured or killed. Do not

allow people to ride in any area of your vehicle

that is not equipped with seats and safety

belts. Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a

seat and using a safety belt properly.

Your vehicle has a light

that comes on as a

reminder to buckle up. See

Safety Belt Reminder

Light on page 3-24.

In most states and in all Canadian provinces, the law

says to wear safety belts. Here is why: They work.

You never know if you will be in a crash. If you do have

a crash, you do not know if it will be a bad one.

A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so

serious that even buckled up, a person would not

survive. But most crashes are in between. In many of

them, people who buckle up can survive and sometimes

walk away. Without belts they could have been badly

hurt or killed.

After more than 30 years of safety belts in vehicles, the

facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does

matter...a lot!

1-10

Why Safety Belts Work

When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as

it goes.

Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it is just a seat

on wheels.

Put someone on it.

1-11

Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider

does not stop.

The person keeps going until stopped by something. In

a real vehicle, it could be the windshield...

1-12

or the instrument panel... or the safety belts!

With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does.

You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance,

and your strongest bones take the forces. That is why

safety belts make such good sense.

1-13

Questions and Answers About

Safety Belts

Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle after an accident

if I am wearing a safety belt?

A: You could be — whether you are wearing a safety

belt or not. But you can unbuckle a safety belt,

even if you are upside down. And your chance of

being conscious during and after an accident,

so you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if

you are belted.

Q: If my vehicle has airbags, why should I have to

wear safety belts?

A: Airbags are in many vehicles today and will be in

most of them in the future. But they are

supplemental systems only; so they work with

safety belts — not instead of them. Every airbag

system ever offered for sale has required the use of

safety belts. Even if you are in a vehicle that has

airbags, you still have to buckle up to get the most

protection. That is true not only in frontal collisions,

but especially in side and other collisions.

Q: If I am a good driver, and I never drive far from

home, why should I wear safety belts?

A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you are in an

accident — even one that is not your fault — you

and your passengers can be hurt. Being a good

driver does not protect you from things beyond your

control, such as bad drivers.

Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km) of

home. And the greatest number of serious injuries

and deaths occur at speeds of less than 40 mph

(65 km/h).

Safety belts are for everyone.

How to Wear Safety Belts Properly

This part is only for people of adult size.

Be aware that there are special things to know about

safety belts and children. And there are different

rules for smaller children and babies. If a child will be

riding in your vehicle, see Older Children on page 1-29

or Infants and Young Children on page 1-32. Follow

those rules for everyone’s protection.

First, you will want to know which restraint systems your

vehicle has.

We will start with the driver position.

1-14

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