Chevrolet Cobalt Owners Manual: Reconfigurable Performance Display (RPD)

For vehicles with the RPD, the screen displays information that can be used to monitor vehicle performance. The RPD knob located next to the screen is used to configure the display and select information to be viewed.

A short video plays whenever the ignition key is turned on. Press the RPD knob to stop the video and go directly to RPD displays.

RPD Screen Example US Version Shown, Canada Similar (French Display Currently Not Available)

The RPD screen displays two divided areas (A, B) of information called Regions. Advance through Region A screens to show various gauges and speedometer displays. Advance through Region B screens to show digital readouts and indicator information.

The position of these regions can be reversed.

See the SETUP MENU for more information.

When the ignition is turned off and then back on, the RPD shows the last screen displayed.

Region A Gauge and Speedometer Displays

Change the information displayed in Region A by turning the knob either clockwise or counterclockwise.

The available gauges are: BOOST: Displays positive boost pressure as determined by the manifold air pressure (MAP) sensor.

AIR/FUEL RATIO: Displays the mass ratio of air to fuel.

CAM PHASER ANGLES: Displays orientation of the intake and exhaust cam shafts relative to their park positions as commanded by the engine control module.

OVERLAP represents the total distance the intake and exhaust cam shafts have phased.

SPARK ADVANCE/ KNOCK RETARD: The spark advance gauge displays ignition timing. Knock retard indicates the amount of ignition delay to reduce spark knock.

ENGINE POWER & TORQUE : Displayed engine power and torque are engine flywheel output values calculated by the engine control module. These values are approximate and may change with the air conditioning load, generator output, air temperature, air pressure, and fuel octane.

SPEEDOMETER & G FORCE : The G FORCE meter displays lateral acceleration. While turning right, G forces are felt on the left, and vice versa. PEAK values are stored indefinitely, and can be reset with a press and hold of the RPD knob while viewing the G FORCE meter.

SETUP MENU: Press the RPD knob to enter this menu. The vehicle should be stopped while configuring the setup menu selections.

SCREEN OFF: Turns the screen off.

Region B Readout Displays

Press the RPD knob to highlight Region B. The information displayed can be changed by turning the RPD knob either clockwise or counterclockwise.

Press the RPD knob again, to store the selection.

The selection will also be stored after a few seconds of no activity. Available modes are:

Readouts #1

SHIFT LIGHTS/GEAR INDICATION: The shift lights provide visual identification of engine speed for a transmission gear. Shift light minimum and maximum RPM settings can be viewed and configured in the SETUP screen. The gear indication on manual transmission vehicles is calculated by the engine control module. The gear is only displayed when enough torque is available to determine the selected forward gear.

Readouts #2

TIRE PRESSURES: Displays the last gauge tire pressures recorded from each of the wheel mounted tire pressure sensors.

Readouts #3

BAROMETER: Displays ambient air pressure as measured by the engine’s ambient pressure sensor.

OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE: Displays ambient temperature as measured by an outside air temperature sensor.

BATTERY VOLTAGE: Displays the vehicle’s battery voltage.

Readouts #4

COOLANT TEMPERATURE: Displays engine coolant temperature as measured by a coolant temperature sensor.

INLET AIR TEMPERATURE: Displays the instantaneous temperature of the air at the inlet to the induction system.

FUEL PRESSURE: Displays fuel pressure as measured by a sensor on the output of the high-pressure fuel pump.

INDICATORS

The indicators come on when the corresponding function is actively working to stabilize or control the vehicle. Each indicator light on the RPD display can be turned on and off using the SETUP MENU. These indicators work independently of the telltales on the instrument panel cluster. Turning the indicator on the RPD display on or off does not enable or disable the functions on the vehicle.

This indicator comes on whenever the vehicle StabiliTrak® is actively working.

This indicator comes on when Competitive Driving Mode (A) has been set using the traction control switch.

This telltale comes on whenever conditions are right for the Launch Mode (B) to activate.

See Electronic Stability Control (ESC) for more information on Competitive Driving Mode and Launch Control.

This indicator comes on whenever the vehicle Traction Control system is actively working.

SETUP MENU

The SETUP MENU allows for the appearance of each display screen to be customized. Turn the knob to scroll through the screens to reach the SETUP MENU. Press and release the knob to activate the SETUP MENU.

Selecting a SETUP MENU Option

1. Under SETUP MENU there are six menu options to choose. Turn the RPD knob to highlight an option.

2. Press and release the RPD knob to select the highlighted menu option.

SETUP MENU Options

GAUGE APPEARANCE: While the gauge is highlighted, press the RPD knob. Then turn the knob to choose the background color for a gauge. Press the knob again when gauge color is chosen.

SHIFT LIGHT SETUP: This screen establishes a RPM range where the shift light comes on for each gear.

Turn the RPD knob to highlight a shift light setting.

Press the knob to allow adjustment of the highlighted setting. Turn the knob to adjust the value up or down, then press the knob again to allow the selection of another item. The number above each gear shows the highest RPM the light comes on for a gear range.

The number below each gear indicates the lowest RPM the light comes on for a gear range.

INDICATORS ON/OFF: Select on or off for each indicator by turning the RPD knob to highlight ON or OFF. Press and Release the RPD knob to apply the choice. The actual Traction Control, StabiliTrak®, Competitive Mode, Launch Control functions and instrument panel cluster telltales are not enabled or disabled by these indicators.

SCREEN ORDER: While the screen order is highlighted, press the knob to allow adjustment. Turn the knob to reverse the displayed order of Region A and Region B. Press the knob again once the screen is chosen.

CONTRAST: While the contrast slider is highlighted, press the knob to allow adjustment. Turn the knob to adjust the contrast of the screen. Press the knob again when the desired contrast is reached.

RESTORE DEFAULTS: Restores the original factory screen defaults.

Applying a SETUP MENU Option

After each screen is customized, use this procedure to apply the change and return to the SETUP MENU.

SET: Applies the changes to the display.

1. Turn until SET is highlighted.

2. Press and release while SET is highlighted to lock in the setting and return to the previous screen.

RETURN /RET: Returns the display to the previous screen without saving changes.

1. Turn to highlight the RETURN/RET option.

2. Press and release knob to return to the previous menu.