Just got my Cobalt and the only thing that I now have a question about is the shift light. At first it was coming on between 2600-3k but when I get on the gas a little harder it comes on around 3800-4100k. Does it vary and "learn" when you like to shift? Or is it automatically set like that?

It's sorta annoying in your face, eh?

 

it comes on when it thinks u can get better mileage in the next gear... if u keep ur foot in it, it shouldn't come on at all, or maybe at the redline...

 

On my SS a shift light doesn't come on..hrmm maybe because its the performance model, BUT on my fire it had one and yea it will come on whenever it feels you need to shift, but it is mainly for fuel economy reasons....

 

I believe all the Cobalts have a shift light, except for the SS S/C. Its mostly there for fuel economy reasons as the others said, and it does adjust itself depending on a few variables.

Basically the shift light decides when to come on based on engine load and throttle position. So if your lugging the engine up a hill in 4th gear, its not going to tell you to shift until the load on the engine lessens. If you are driving around town using very little throttle, its going to tell you to shift as early as possible for best fuel economy. And if you floor it from a stop, it should tell you to shift at or right before redline.

Under normal driving, the shift light should come on between 2500 - 3000 RPM's, depending on how much of a lead foot you have

 

Since the Canadian cars don't have one (I bet it's there, but switched off), you may be able to get the dealer to turn it off, if it is computer controlled.

 

I'm glad it's not on the SS S/C, I will decide when I want to shift .

 

hehe, I'm with Vendian's answer