A visual inspection must always be performed to confirm the presence of aftermarket components, potential collision damage, or areas of concern. |
A rear-axle oil leak is easy to miss. The axle works normally until it suddenly seizes up, the expensive and possibly dangerous result of it running dry of oil. |
The clearest sign of a leak is oil on the ground under the vehicle. Oil leaks from the hub oil seals of a live rear axle, may also leave traces on the inner surfaces of the wheels, or even get into the brakes. |
Always clean drive axle assembly before starting the inspection. The origination of a leak can be narrowed down considerably during cleaning. |
Axle oil is thick when cold and unlikely to drip out of a very small opening, but it flows freely when warm after a run. Any drip marks will probably be where you first parked the car after returning from a run. Within an hour the oil thickens as it cools and stops dripping. |
You should also inspect the oil level, generally every 6,000 miles. |
Some vehicles have "sealed for life" axles whose oil never needs changing. These axles do not have a drain plug. But they, too, can leak and need refilling, which is done through the plug hole by which they were filled originally. |
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Chevrolet Cobalt Owners Manual. Trunk
To release the trunk lid from the outside, use the key or
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter,
if equipped.
WARNING:
Exhaust gases can enter the vehicle if it is driven
with the liftgate, trunk/hatch open, or with any
objects that pass through the seal between the
body and the trunk/ha ...