Chevrolet Cobalt Owners Manual: Manual Transmission Operation

This is the shift pattern for standard models.

This is the shift pattern for SS models.   

Here is how to operate the manual transmission:

Notice: Do not rest your hand on the shift lever while driving. The pressure could cause premature wear in the transmission. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty.

1 (First): Press the clutch pedal and shift into 1 (First).

Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal.

You can shift into 1 (First) when the vehicle is traveling less than 20 mph (32 km/h). If you have come to a complete stop and it is hard to shift into 1 (First), put the shift lever in N (Neutral) and let up on the clutch pedal.

Press the clutch pedal back down. Then shift into 1 (First).

2 (Second): Press the clutch pedal as you let up on the accelerator pedal and shift into 2 (Second).

Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal.

3 (Third), 4 (Fourth) and 5 (Fifth): Shift into 3 (Third), 4 (Fourth) and 5 (Fifth) the same way you do for 2 (Second). Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the accelerator pedal down.

To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press the clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to N (Neutral).

N (Neutral): Use this position when you start or idle the engine.

R (Reverse): To back up, press down the clutch pedal and shift into R (Reverse).

For SS models, lift upwards on the ring located on the underside of the shift knob to shift into R (Reverse).

Notice: Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is moving forward could damage the transmission.

The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle is stopped.

Also, use R (Reverse), along with the parking brake, for parking the vehicle.

Shift Speeds

WARNING:
If you skip a gear when you downshift, you could lose control of the vehicle. You could injure yourself or others. Do not shift down more than one gear at a time when you downshift.

Up-Shift Light

If the vehicle has a
manual transmission,
there may be an up-shift light. This light will show you when to shift to the next higher gear for the best fuel economy.

When this light comes on, you can shift to the next higher gear if weather, road, and traffic conditions let you. For the best fuel economy, accelerate slowly and shift when the light comes on.

While accelerating, it is normal for the light to go on and off if you quickly change the position of the accelerator.

Ignore the light when downshifting.

No-Lift Upshift (SS Models)

If the vehicle has the 2.0L turbo engine and manual transmission, it has the capability of No-Lift Upshifts.

This feature maximizes vehicle acceleration by allowing you to shift the transmission to a higher gear without taking your foot off the accelerator. No-Lift Upshifting is enabled in all Electronic Stability Control modes.

See Electronic Stability Control (ESC) for more information. Use this feature only when the engine has reached normal operating temperature. Correct shifting allows the engine to maintain boost pressure during shifts, while also keeping the engine from over-revving.

To utilize this feature: 1. Accelerate the vehicle by fully depressing the accelerator pedal.

2. Just prior to reaching the maximum engine speed, quickly complete the upshift utilizing the clutch while keeping the accelerator pedal fully applied. A quicker shift maneuver gives the best performance. If the engine is operated at the maximum engine speed for greater than one second, the engine exits the No-Lift Upshift mode and resumes normal engine overspeed protection.