Chevrolet Cobalt Owners Manual: DIC Warnings and Messages

These messages appear if there is a problem detected in one of your vehicle's systems.

A message clears when the vehicle's condition is no longer present. To acknowledge a message and clear it from the display, press and hold any of the DIC buttons.

If the condition is still present, the warning message comes back on the next time the vehicle is turned off and back on. With most messages, a warning chime sounds when the message displays. Your vehicle may have other warning messages.

AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS OFF

This message displays if the automatic headlamp system is disabled with the headlamp switch.

AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS ON

This message displays if the automatic headlamp system is enabled with the headlamp switch.

BRAKE FLUID

This message displays, while the ignition is on, when the brake fluid level is low. The brake system warning light on the instrument panel cluster also comes on.

See Brake System Warning Light for more information. Have the brake system serviced by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.

CHANGE OIL SOON

This message displays when the life of the engine oil has expired and it should be changed.

When this message is acknowledged and cleared from the display, the engine oil life system must still be reset separately. See Engine Oil Life System and Scheduled Maintenance for more information.

CHECK GAS CAP

This message displays if the fuel cap has not been fully tightened. Recheck the fuel cap to make sure that it is on properly. A few driving trips with the cap properly installed should turn the message off.

COMPETITIVE MODE

If your vehicle has this feature, this message displays when the Competitive Driving mode is selected. The Traction Control System (TCS) will not be operating while in the Competitive Driving mode and the ESC/TCS light on the instrument panel cluster will be on solid. Adjust your driving accordingly. See Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light for more information.

COOLING MODE ON

This message may display on some vehicles. Under severe conditions, hot ambient temperatures, steep grades, and towing, your vehicle may experience more transmission shifting. This is temporary and normal under these conditions. This does not require engine or transmission service.

CRUISE ENGAGED

This message displays when the cruise control system is active. See Cruise Control for more information.

DOOR AJAR

This message displays if one or more of the vehicle's doors are open. Make sure that the door(s) are closed completely.

ENGINE DISABLED

This message displays if the starting of the engine is disabled. Have your vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer immediately.

ENG (Engine) PWR (Power) REDUCED

This message displays to inform you that the vehicle has reduced engine power to avoid damaging the engine. Reduced engine power can affect the vehicle's ability to accelerate. If this message is on, but there is no reduction in performance, proceed to your destination. The performance may be reduced the next time the vehicle is driven. The vehicle may be driven at a reduced speed while this message is on, but acceleration and speed may be reduced. Anytime this message stays on, the vehicle should be taken to your dealer/retailer for service as soon as possible.

ESC (Electronic Stability Control) ACTIVE

If your vehicle has Electronic Stability Control (ESC), this message displays and the ESC/TCS light on the instrument panel cluster flashes when ESC is assisting you with directional control of the vehicle. You may feel or hear the system working and see this message displayed in the DIC. Slippery road conditions may exist when this message is displayed, so adjust your driving accordingly. This message may stay on for a few seconds after ESC stops assisting you with directional control of the vehicle. This is normal when the system is operating. See Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light for more information.

ESC (Electronic Stability Control) NOT READY

If your vehicle has Electronic Stability Control (ESC), this message may display briefly after starting the vehicle if the system's sensors are not yet calibrated.

The system is not functional until the message stops displaying. Adjust your driving accordingly. When the message is no longer displayed, the system is functional. See Electronic Stability Control (ESC) for more information.

ESC (Electronic Stability Control) OFF

If your vehicle has Electronic Stability Control (ESC), this message displays and the ESC/TCS light on the instrument panel cluster comes on solid when ESC is turned off. Adjust your driving accordingly.

See Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light for more information.

ICE POSSIBLE

This message displays when the outside air temperature is cold enough to create icy road conditions. Adjust your driving accordingly.

KEY FOB BATT (Battery) LOW

This message displays if the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter battery is low. Replace the battery in the transmitter. See “Battery Replacement” under Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation.

LAUNCH CONTROL

If your vehicle has this feature, this message displays after the COMPETITIVE MODE message when the vehicle is stopped. Launch control is a form of traction control to control wheel spin while launching the vehicle during closed track events and competitive driving venues. The system will exit to COMPETITIVE MODE after the vehicle is launched. See “COMPETITIVE MODE” earlier in this section. See “Launch Control” under Electronic Stability Control (ESC) for more information.

LEARN COMPLETE

On vehicles without the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) system, this message displays when the Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) has completed the tire learning process. See Tire Pressure Monitor System for more information.

LOW COOLANT

If your vehicle has a 2.0L engine, this message displays when there is a low level of engine coolant. Have the cooling system serviced by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible. See Engine Coolant for more information.

LOW FUEL

This message displays when your vehicle is low on fuel. Refill the fuel tank as soon as possible. See Fuel Gauge, Fuel, and Filling the Tank for more information.

LOW TRACTION

If your vehicle has the Enhanced Traction System (ETS) or Traction Control System (TCS), this message displays and the ETS light or the ESC/TCS light on the instrument panel cluster flashes when the system is actively limiting wheel spin. Slippery road conditions may exist if this message is displayed, so adjust your driving accordingly. This message stays on for a few seconds after the system stops limiting wheel spin.

See Enhanced Traction System (ETS) or Traction Control System (TCS) and Enhanced Traction System (ETS) Indicator/Warning Light or Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light for more information.

PARKING BRAKE

This message displays if the parking brake is left engaged. See Parking Brake for more information.

POWER STEERING

This message displays if a problem has been detected with the electric power steering. Have your vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer immediately.

SERVICE AIR BAG

This message displays when there is a problem with the airbag system. Have your vehicle serviced by your dealer/retailer immediately.

SERVICE ESC (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL)

If your vehicle has Electronic Stability Control (ESC), this message displays and a chime sounds if there has been a problem detected with ESC. The ESC/TCS light also appears on the instrument panel cluster. This light stays on solid as long as the detected problem remains present. When this message displays, the system is not working. Adjust your driving accordingly. See Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light for more information.

If this message turns on while you are driving, pull off the road as soon as possible and stop carefully. Try resetting the system by turning the ignition off and then back on. If this message still stays on or turns back on again while you are driving, your vehicle needs service.

Have the ESC inspected by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.

SERVICE TRACTION

If your vehicle has the Enhanced Traction System (ETS) or Traction Control System (TCS), this message displays and a chime sounds when the system is not functioning properly. The ETS light or the ESC/TCS light also appears on the instrument panel cluster. This light stays on solid as long as the detected problem remains present. When this message displays, the system is not working. Adjust your driving accordingly. See Enhanced Traction System (ETS) or Traction Control System (TCS) and Enhanced Traction System (ETS) Indicator/Warning Light or Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction
Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light for more information. Have the system
serviced by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.

SVC (Service) BRAKE SYSTEM

This message may display if you have a turbocharged vehicle with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and if the hydraulic brake boost is not working or is working improperly. Have the brake system serviced by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.   

SVC (Service) TIRE MONITOR

If your vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), this message displays if a part on the TPMS is not working properly. The tire pressure light also flashes and then remains on during the same ignition cycle. See Tire Pressure Light. Several conditions may cause this message
to appear. See Tire Pressure Monitor Operation for more information. If the warning comes
on and stays on, there may be a problem with the TPMS. See your dealer/retailer.

TIRE LEARN ON

If your vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and does not have the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) system, this message displays when the TPMS is re-learning the tire positions on your vehicle. The tire positions must be re-learned after rotating the tires or after replacing a tire or sensor.

See Tire Inspection and Rotation, Tire Pressure Monitor System, and Inflation - Tire Pressure for more information.

TIRE LOW ADD AIR

If your vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), this message displays when the pressure in one or more of the vehicle's tires is low. The low tire pressure warning light will also come on. See Tire Pressure Light. If a tire pressure message appears on the DIC, stop as soon as you can. Have the tire pressures checked and set to those shown on the Tire Loading Information label.

See Tires, Loading the Vehicle, and Inflation - Tire Pressure.

The DIC also shows the tire pressure values. See DIC Operation and Displays.

TRACTION OFF

If your vehicle has the Enhanced Traction System (ETS) or Traction Control System (TCS), this message displays and the ETS light or the ESC/TCS light on the instrument panel cluster comes on solid when the system is turned off. Adjust your driving accordingly.

See Enhanced Traction System (ETS) or Traction Control System (TCS) and Enhanced Traction System (ETS) Indicator/Warning Light or Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light for more information.

TRUNK AJAR

This message displays when the trunk is not closed completely. Make sure that the trunk is closed completely. See Trunk.