I just got a 2008 cobalt sport. It's my first NEW car. I had a 94 taurus before, so of course technology has changed since then. So Iv'e got a few new car n00b questions. =P

1. what's the deal with this gray plasic crap covering the engine?? I can't look at my beautiful engine because of it. What's the point of it, and can I or is it recommended to take it off?

2. Since I don't race is there any point in me installing a air intake (just a regular one not a cold air intake) if I'm not going to be racing the car. Will it benefit me in any way period if I'm not using the car for racing?

3. The car manual suggests high octane like 93. Because gas prices are expensive, will using 87 instead of 93 harm the engine in any kind of way? Why do I need the high octane? Is is recommended (not by the book by users here) that I should use high octane?

4. Why isn't there a tempature guage for the engine? I just have the speedomter, tach, gas, and all the usual warning ligts, and info center display. I ask for two reasons. One how else will you know if your over heating and two you can see when the engine is hot enough to start using the heat other wise it just blows cold till your engine is warm.

10. I noticed in the back seats under them there's a black bar going across what is that and does the seat(s) fold down for access to the trunk?

I'm not sure if the rest of my questions will help me as this is a message board and I'm not actually seeing any of you in person and these questions might require visual answers. I'm new to stick shift. I been getting really good at it though. But so far the only problems and or questions I have now are these:

1. What is the lowest rpm I can rev at to get the car rolling without stalling if I just want to coast (say if its bumper to bumper)

2. Why is the car so juttery when going 10-15 mph when I'm driving in a complex (I'm in second gear)

3. I down shift to 3rd instead of second to go around turns. Is it recommended I go to second instead? I have a prob with this because when appraching my turn I'm breaking all the way then a sec b4 the turn that's when I downshift and sometimes because of being in the process of downshifting during the turn I don't have enough time to get back on the break because I was busy rev matching for downshift and I end up flying through the turn. Should I clutch in around the turn then downshift after my turn is completed to avoid this? Some suggestions would be greatly appreciated. (I'm not experienced enough for heel and toe so any suggestions other than that)

4. when getting started (I don't mean starting the engine I mean getting the car moving) in rain or especially snow should I start in second gear instead of first?

5. When going in reverse the car stalls if I let the clutch all the way up. Am I just not giving enough rpms or am I supposed to just keep the clutch at the hook point?

6. Paraelle (shut up I can't spell it lol) parking is the hardest thing. Does anyone have any suggestions for it? I stall a lot because you have to do atleast like 5 things at once. So I was wondering if anyone might if possibly at all have any tips?

7. Sometimes I'm not sure if its by my mistake or something wrong with the gear box but sometimes instead of going into first it goes into 3rd instead and I don't know till I'm trying to get it to go (and its verrrrry bumpy lol)

8. Every time I go from first to second it ALWAYS jerks but when shifting to the other gears it don't. Am I releasing the clutch too fast?

9. What is the point of the boot and is it recommended that I don't take it off?

This is all I can think of at the moment. If I think of anything else I'll add it.

 

1. what's the deal with this gray plasic crap covering the engine?? I can't look at my beautiful engine because of it. What's the point of it, and can I or is it recommended to take it off?

you can take it off, except for the air box. that would be taken off if you ever got an intake

2. Since I don't race is there any point in me installing a air intake (just a regular one not a cold air intake) if I'm not going to be racing the car. Will it benefit me in any way period if I'm not using the car for racing?

see above. also, if you don't drive hard you may notice a slight increase in gas mileage.

3. The car manual suggests high octane like 93. Because gas prices are expensive, will using 87 instead of 93 harm the engine in any kind of way? Why do I need the high octane? Is is recommended (not by the book by users here) that I should use high octane?

use the suggested octane. it's there for a reason. it's not much more expensive per fillup, so don't cheap out on something so little.

4. Why isn't there a tempature guage for the engine? I just have the speedomter, tach, gas, and all the usual warning ligts, and info center display. I ask for two reasons. One how else will you know if your over heating and two you can see when the engine is hot enough to start using the heat other wise it just blows cold till your engine is warm.

you should have a digital guage, click the button on the DIC (Driver Information Center) not sure where it is on the newer cars

10. I noticed in the back seats under them there's a black bar going across what is that and does the seat(s) fold down for access to the trunk?



1. What is the lowest rpm I can rev at to get the car rolling without stalling if I just want to coast (say if its bumper to bumper)

let the clutch out, get the car moving without giving it any gas. that's the lowest rpm you can get the engine to.

2. Why is the car so juttery when going 10-15 mph when I'm driving in a complex (I'm in second gear)

3. I down shift to 3rd instead of second to go around turns. Is it recommended I go to second instead? I have a prob with this because when appraching my turn I'm breaking all the way then a sec b4 the turn that's when I downshift and sometimes because of being in the process of downshifting during the turn I don't have enough time to get back on the break because I was busy rev matching for downshift and I end up flying through the turn. Should I clutch in around the turn then downshift after my turn is completed to avoid this? Some suggestions would be greatly appreciated. (I'm not experienced enough for heel and toe so any suggestions other than that)

I would suggest just braking sooner don't ride with the clutch in, that's not good. once you get more practice you'll notice that you're only taking your foot off the brake for a split second to blip the throttle, and it shouldn't affect your braking.

4. when getting started (I don't mean starting the engine I mean getting the car moving) in rain or especially snow should I start in second gear instead of first?

No.

5. When going in reverse the car stalls if I let the clutch all the way up. Am I just not giving enough rpms or am I supposed to just keep the clutch at the hook point?

probably not giving enough rpms. if i'm pulling out of a spot, i'll usually not use the gas. but backing through a parking lot or something the clutch is out and i'm using the throttle.

6. Paraelle (shut up I can't spell it lol) parking is the hardest thing. Does anyone have any suggestions for it? I stall a lot because you have to do atleast like 5 things at once. So I was wondering if anyone might if possibly at all have any tips?

practice. after a while you don't have to think about what you're doing anymore, and it makes it easier to focus on parking, not making sure you're actually in reverse.

7. Sometimes I'm not sure if its by my mistake or something wrong with the gear box but sometimes instead of going into first it goes into 3rd instead and I don't know till I'm trying to get it to go (and its verrrrry bumpy lol)

when you put it in first, make sure you have the shifter all the way to the left. problem solved.

8. Every time I go from first to second it ALWAYS jerks but when shifting to the other gears it don't. Am I releasing the clutch too fast?

probably letting the clutch out too fast. there is a huge drop off in rpms' from 1st to 2nd.

9. What is the point of the boot and is it recommended that I don't take it off?

This is all I can think of at the moment. If I think of anything else I'll add it.

 

I have a question too...how often do I get a tune up on my LS? I have had it for 15,000 miles and I'm not sure of the recommended GM intervals to get one.

BTW...The back seats do fold down...look in your manual and it will show you how to do it.

 

ya i hate the engine covering on my 08 sport

also the seats do fold down there are 2 black handles at the top of the opening of the trunk that u pull to open each seat

 

1. what's the deal with this gray plasic crap covering the engine?? I can't look at my beautiful engine because of it. What's the point of it, and can I or is it recommended to take it off?

You can take it off or leave it on. It is just a cover. You may notice more noise fromt he engine with it off that is normal.

2. Since I don't race is there any point in me installing a air intake (just a regular one not a cold air intake) if I'm not going to be racing the car. Will it benefit me in any way period if I'm not using the car for racing?

You MAY get slightly better gas mileage.

3. The car manual suggests high octane like 93. Because gas prices are expensive, will using 87 instead of 93 harm the engine in any kind of way? Why do I need the high octane? Is is recommended (not by the book by users here) that I should use high octane?

The car has two octane modes - one for low octane mode (87 octane) and one for high octane (91 octane). If you put in 87 octane the car will pull timing to reduce knock therefore robbing you of power. If you are not expecting to ever want to get on the car hard then you could run 87 octane; I would suggest running 91 though.

4. Why isn't there a tempature guage for the engine? I just have the speedomter, tach, gas, and all the usual warning ligts, and info center display. I ask for two reasons. One how else will you know if your over heating and two you can see when the engine is hot enough to start using the heat other wise it just blows cold till your engine is warm.

Temp gauge is on the DIC. Just press the i button till you get to the coolant temp gauge.

10. I noticed in the back seats under them there's a black bar going across what is that and does the seat(s) fold down for access to the trunk?

This is for strapping in a child seat. The release to put the rear seats down is in the trunk at the top of the trunk roof.

I'm not sure if the rest of my questions will help me as this is a message board and I'm not actually seeing any of you in person and these questions might require visual answers. I'm new to stick shift. I been getting really good at it though. But so far the only problems and or questions I have now are these:

1. What is the lowest rpm I can rev at to get the car rolling without stalling if I just want to coast (say if its bumper to bumper)

You just need to practice and you will learn. I can get my car moving without really revving at all it just takes practice.

2. Why is the car so juttery when going 10-15 mph when I'm driving in a complex (I'm in second gear)

This is due to the electronic throttle and torque curve of the motor. This is normal you just have to get used to it.

3. I down shift to 3rd instead of second to go around turns. Is it recommended I go to second instead? I have a prob with this because when appraching my turn I'm breaking all the way then a sec b4 the turn that's when I downshift and sometimes because of being in the process of downshifting during the turn I don't have enough time to get back on the break because I was busy rev matching for downshift and I end up flying through the turn. Should I clutch in around the turn then downshift after my turn is completed to avoid this? Some suggestions would be greatly appreciated. (I'm not experienced enough for heel and toe so any suggestions other than that)

You need to practice driving a 5 speed. You should downshift to whatever gear puts you into an appropiate RPM range to begin accelerating after the turn. Unless you are flying around turns usually you should be in second.

4. when getting started (I don't mean starting the engine I mean getting the car moving) in rain or especially snow should I start in second gear instead of first?

Usually I would say no. In rain the tires should be just fine to gain traction. In snow it will just depend. I always try and at least start moving in first then may quickly shift to second - trying to take off in second you may actually end up spinning worse because you will need to give the car more gas to try and get moving.

5. When going in reverse the car stalls if I let the clutch all the way up. Am I just not giving enough rpms or am I supposed to just keep the clutch at the hook point?

You shouldn't be backing up far enough or fast enough to have to disengage the cluth ALL the way. The use a few quick feathers of the clutch to get moving in reverse.

6. Paraelle (shut up I can't spell it lol) parking is the hardest thing. Does anyone have any suggestions for it? I stall a lot because you have to do atleast like 5 things at once. So I was wondering if anyone might if possibly at all have any tips?

Practice.

7. Sometimes I'm not sure if its by my mistake or something wrong with the gear box but sometimes instead of going into first it goes into 3rd instead and I don't know till I'm trying to get it to go (and its verrrrry bumpy lol)

You need to practice driving the car. This is purely driver error.

8. Every time I go from first to second it ALWAYS jerks but when shifting to the other gears it don't. Am I releasing the clutch too fast?

This is pretty normal. You need to just practice driving more. You just need to learn how the clutch likes to be released.

9. What is the point of the boot and is it recommended that I don't take it off?

I don't know what BOOT you are talking about??

 

1. what's the deal with this gray plasic crap covering the engine??
you can take it off, except for the air box. that would be taken off if you ever got an intake

Is there any special way to take it off? I haven't actually tried, and want to ask how first before I break it. What exactly is the purpose of it anyway?

3. The car manual suggests high octane like 93.

use the suggested octane. it's there for a reason. it's not much more expensive per fillup, so don't cheap out on something so little.

well then good thing my gf lives in jersey 3.49 for 93 here <_<

4. Why isn't there a tempature guage for the engine?
you should have a digital guage, click the button on the DIC (Driver Information Center) not sure where it is on the newer cars

oh so that must be what coolant temp is lol but I'm used to seeing the needle so I have no idea what the temp actually means hahaha what is a normal range temp and what is overheat?
1. What is the lowest rpm I can rev at to get the car rolling without stalling

let the clutch out, get the car moving without giving it any gas. that's the lowest rpm you can get the engine to.

hmm I guess I never actually tried it without giving gas, but I'm assuming you gotta let the clutch out slow so it don't stall?

3. I down shift to 3rd instead of second to go around turns.


I would suggest just braking sooner don't ride with the clutch in, that's not good. once you get more practice you'll notice that you're only taking your foot off the brake for a split second to blip the throttle, and it shouldn't affect your braking.

lol ok. I'll have to practice more at it. or just downshift a little sooner.

5. When going in reverse the car stalls if I let the clutch all the way up. Am I just not giving enough rpms or am I supposed to just keep the clutch at the hook point?

probably not giving enough rpms. if i'm pulling out of a spot, i'll usually not use the gas. but backing through a parking lot or something the clutch is out and i'm using the throttle.

hmm I guess I should practice reverse in a empty parking lot then. I'm usually backing out of a spot and its a pain in the ass because u gotta watch for cars of course and mess with the clutch at the same time. I did read somewhere once that because reverse gear has more torque, you don't really need to step on the gas petal. so I guess thats true then lol.

8. Every time I go from first to second it ALWAYS jerks but when shifting to the other gears it don't. Am I releasing the clutch too fast?

probably letting the clutch out too fast. there is a huge drop off in rpms' from 1st to 2nd.

yea I noticed that and I thought I was too slow on the clutch but now I see it actually should be quite the opposite and go slower hahaha.

 

wow, some of these you should have noticed when driving your previous car, there is no difference between the 5 speed design in cars over the last 40 years.

 

To rnjmur, sorry I'm on my sidekick my internet is out and the internet is slow on here. By boot I mean the leather covering on the stick. And what exactly do you mean by feathering the clutch?

 

YOU SHOULDN'T OF BOUGHT THE CAR IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD THE TYPE OF GAS RECOMMENDED TO RUN YOUR VEHICLE PROPERLY.

 

my old car is an automatic 4 speed =P

 

Is there any special way to take it off? I haven't actually tried, and want to ask how first before I break it. What exactly is the purpose of it anyway?

it's just there to look pretty basically. to take it off, just unscrew your oil cap, and pull it off. there's a thing that it sits in, don't know how to describe it, but if you pull the bottom right side of the cover, and the top left of the cover, it will pop right off. it's not held in by anything except the post that it sits on.



oh so that must be what coolant temp is lol but I'm used to seeing the needle so I have no idea what the temp actually means hahaha what is a normal range temp and what is overheat?

normal is anywhere between 180 and 230. when you're driving normal it will probably be somewhere around 190 or so. it's normal in stop and go driving, or at idle (like going through a drive through) for the temperature to go up pretty quick. nothing to be worried about, it will go back down once you start driving again.



hmm I guess I never actually tried it without giving gas, but I'm assuming you gotta let the clutch out slow so it don't stall?

if you have the clutch at the right point, doesn't matter how fast you get there, just as long as you don't go past it. it's a good idea to engage the clutch before you give the car gas in normal driving. i usually start to let the clutch up while i'm still on the brake, and once the clutch is almost at the engage point i'll get off the brake and go to the gas. that's especially good on a hill, so you don't roll backwards into the ******* that's riding your ass, and you don't have to burn the clutch.

 

Is there any special way to take it off? I haven't actually tried, and want to ask how first before I break it. What exactly is the purpose of it anyway?

There are two rubber bushings holding it to metal petrusions from the engine bay. One on the back passenger side and one down to the front, take off the oil cap and start pulling, it is kinda hard and when you do it it will have a feeling of,"oh ****, I broke it," but you are good.

oh so that must be what coolant temp is lol but I'm used to seeing the needle so I have no idea what the temp actually means hahaha what is a normal range temp and what is overheat?

Typical range is for all cars is right around 192 deg F. I have noticed my car runs a few degrees cooler when at higher speeds(around 180), pretty much if your car hits over 220 and keeps climbing turn it off and wait about 20 min, turn it on and it should be back down to managable levels and if it happens again call GM. Dont take it to some backyard mechanic shop, they will tell you it is the thermostat but on our cars it is normally something different such as leaky hoses.

hmm I guess I never actually tried it without giving gas, but I'm assuming you gotta let the clutch out slow so it don't stall?

Yes, ease it out to barely past clutch engagement point and tap the gas.

lol ok. I'll have to practice more at it. or just downshift a little sooner.

Downshift while breaking and ease out the clutch, it will grab, you dont have to rev match it until you have that down. When you ease out you will feel and see it start catching, at that point let off the brake slightly in reference to your engine and let it brake you.

hmm I guess I should practice reverse in a empty parking lot then. I'm usually backing out of a spot and its a pain in the ass because u gotta watch for cars of course and mess with the clutch at the same time. I did read somewhere once that because reverse gear has more torque, you don't really need to step on the gas petal. so I guess thats true then lol.

Normally it justs multiplies it a few tenths of a ratio from first hence why if you redline in referse it is at 29 unlike first which is roughly 35.

 

Thank you everyone for answering all my questions. You were all very helpful. There's just one question that wasn't answered. The question with the boot. The leather wrapping around the gear stick. Can I remove it? and if so is it recommended to take it off? I saw a lambo without one and I like it without the boot.

 

If you take it off you wont have the look of the lambo, it's metal selection thingy is considered the boot, if you take it off you are just gonna see linkage and carpet and sheet metal.

 

^you can take it off, but why would you want to? then you will be exposing the linkage underneath... and if you drop anything in there, bad things happen

 

Because he thinks he baught a Lamborghini.

 

oh


uhhhhhh no... i thought thats what it looks like without the boot

 

Have a sence of humor, I'm just messin with ya.

 

Straight from GM for the 2.4 it says "Premium recommended but not required".

Which means your car will run fine on 87. If you want to maximize your power, run 91.

I've been testing fuel efficiency at various octanes for a little project I'm working on, and not once have I had a single instance of knock when I'm running 87 through it. Your Cobalt should have no trouble correcting the timing for all grades of fuel.

So run whatever you like. The only thing your giving up between regular and premium is maybe 5-10 hp.

 

oh ok awesome thanks!

 

Yes, you can remove the boot but the linkage and shaft are pretty ugly looking. I would say that if you want to do something like this you would need to replace the whole shifter.

By feathering the clutch, it means just let out on the clutch till it starts grabbing then engage the clutch again. If you do this a few quick times you can get enough reverse momentum to get out of parking spots without trying to fully disengage the clutch.

 

yeah i tried that it worked perfectly! thanks!

 

Oh! here's another ? I have. For what reason exactly would I need to take off the traction control. (all I know is to do peel outs) but in normal driving whats the normal reason for taking it off?