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. Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter
The vehicle may have an ashtray and cigarette lighter.
To use the lighter, located on the instrument panel
below the climate controls, push it in all the way and
let go. When it is ready, it will pop back out by itself.
Notice: Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating will not allow t ...