Chevrolet Cobalt Owners Manual: Engine Overheating

The vehicle has an indicator to warn of engine overheating.

You will find an engine coolant temperature warning light on your vehicle's instrument panel. See Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light for more information.

You may decide not to lift the hood when this warning appears, but instead get service help right away.

See Roadside Assistance Program.

If you do decide to lift the hood, make sure the vehicle is parked on a level surface.

Then check to see if the engine cooling fans are running. If the engine is overheating, both fans should be running. If they are not, do not continue to run the engine and have the vehicle serviced.

Notice: Engine damage from running the engine without coolant is not covered by the warranty.

Notice: If the engine catches fire because of being driven with no coolant, your vehicle can be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty.

If Steam Is Coming From The Engine Compartment

WARNING:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away from the engine if you see or hear steam coming from it. Just turn it off and get everyone away from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until there is no sign of steam or coolant before you open the hood.

If you keep driving when your engine is overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or others could be badly burned. Stop your engine if it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the engine is cool.

If No Steam Is Coming From The Engine Compartment

If an engine overheat warning is displayed but no steam can be seen or heard, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when the vehicle:
- Climbs a long hill on a hot day.

- Stops after high-speed driving.

- Idles for long periods in traffic.

- Tows a trailer.

If the overheat warning is displayed with no sign of steam:
1. Turn the air off.

2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the highest fan speed. Open the windows as necessary.

3. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in N (Neutral) for automatic transmission or NEUTRAL for manual transmission , while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to P (Park) or N (Neutral) and let the engine idle.

If the temperature overheat gauge is no longer in the overheat zone or an overheat warning no longer displays, the vehicle can be driven. Continue to drive the vehicle slow for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe vehicle distance from the car in front of you. If the warning does not come back on, continue to drive normally.

If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park the vehicle right away.

If there is no sign of steam, idle the engine for three minutes while parked. If the warning is still displayed, turn off the engine until it cools down.