Chevrolet Cobalt Owners Manual: Scheduled Maintenance

When the Change Oil Soon Message Displays

Change engine oil and filter. See Engine Oil. An Emission Control Service.

When the Change Oil Soon message displays, service is required for the vehicle as soon as possible, within the next 1 000 km/600 miles. If driving under the best conditions, the engine oil life system might not indicate the need for vehicle service for more than a year. The engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year and the oil life system must be reset. Your dealer/ retailer has trained service technicians who will perform this work and reset the system. If the engine oil life system is reset accidentally, service the vehicle within 5 000 km/3,000 miles since the last service. Reset the oil life system whenever the oil is changed. See Engine Oil Life System.

When the Change Oil Soon message displays, certain services, checks, and inspections are required.

The services described for Maintenance I should be performed at every engine oil change. The services described for Maintenance II should be performed when:
- Maintenance I was performed the last time the engine oil was changed.

- It has been 10 months or more since the Change Oil Soon message has displayed or since the last service.

Maintenance I

- Change engine oil and filter. See Engine Oil. An Emission Control Service.

- Engine coolant level check. See Engine Coolant.

- Windshield washer fluid level check. See Windshield Washer Fluid.

- Tire inflation check. See Inflation - Tire Pressure.

- Tire wear inspection. See Tire Inspection and Rotation.

- Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation.

- Fluids visual leak check (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first). A leak in any system must be repaired and the fluid level checked.

- Engine air cleaner filter inspection (vehicles driven in dusty conditions only). See Engine Air Cleaner/ Filter (2.0L Turbo Engine) or Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (2.2L Engine).

- Brake system inspection (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).

Maintenance II

- Perform all services described in Maintenance I.

- Steering and suspension inspection. Visual inspection for damaged, loose, or missing parts or signs of wear.

- Engine cooling system inspection. Visual inspection of hoses, pipes, fittings, and clamps and replacement, if needed.

- Windshield wiper blade inspection for wear, cracking, or contamination and windshield and wiper blade cleaning, if contaminated. See Windshield and Wiper Blades.

Worn or damaged wiper blade replacement.

See Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement.

- Body hinges and latches, key lock cylinders, and trunk lid hinges and latches lubrication. See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants. More frequent lubrication may be required when vehicle is exposed to a corrosive environment. Applying silicone grease on weatherstrips with a clean cloth makes them last longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak.

Restraint system component check. See Checking the Restraint Systems.

- Engine air cleaner filter inspection. See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (2.0L Turbo Engine) or Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (2.2L Engine).

- Passenger compartment air filter replacement (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).

More frequent replacement may be required if vehicle is driven regularly under dusty conditions.

Additional Required Services

At Each Fuel Stop

- Engine oil level check. See Engine Oil.

- Engine coolant level check. See Engine Coolant.

- Windshield washer fluid level check. See Windshield Washer Fluid.

Once a Month

- Tire inflation check. See Inflation - Tire Pressure.

- Tire wear inspection. See Tire Inspection and Rotation.

Once a Year

- Starter switch check. See Owner Checks and Services.

- Parking brake and automatic transmission P (Park) mechanism check. See Owner Checks and Services.

- Automatic transmission shiftlock control system check. See Owner Checks and Services.

- Ignition transmission lock check. See Owner Checks and Services.

- Engine cooling system and pressure cap pressure check. Radiator and air conditioning condenser outside cleaning. See Cooling System.

- Exhaust system and nearby heat shields inspection for loose or damaged components.

- Throttle system inspection for interference, binding or for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as needed. Replace any components that have high effort or excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator or cruise control cables.

- If the vehicle has a Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit, check the sealant expiration date printed on the instruction label of the kit. See Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit.

First Engine Oil Change After Every 40 000 km/25,000 Miles

- Fuel system inspection for damage or leaks.

First Engine Oil Change After Every 80 000 km/50,000 Miles

- Engine air cleaner filter replacement.

See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (2.0L Turbo Engine) or Engine Air Cleaner/Filter (2.2L Engine).

- Automatic transmission fluid change (severe service only) for vehicles mainly driven in heavy city traffic in hot weather, in hilly or mountainous terrain, when frequently towing a trailer, or used for taxi, police, or delivery service. See Automatic Transmission Fluid.

First Engine Oil Change After Every 160 000 km/100,000 Miles

- Spark plug replacement. An Emission Control Service.

First Engine Oil Change After Every 240 000 km/150,000 Miles

- Engine cooling system drain, flush, and refill, cooling system and cap pressure check, and cleaning of outside of radiator and air conditioning condenser (or every 5 years, whichever occurs first). See Engine Coolant. An Emission Control Service.

- Engine accessory drive belt inspection for fraying, excessive cracks, or obvious damage and replacement, if needed. An Emission Control Service.

Scheduled Maintenance