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Upgrading to higher trim level features
I have a 2007 Cobalt LS that has absolutely no options or upgrades that I know of. Manual windows, manual side mirrors, manual locks, no cruise control, no traction control, no ABS, no tire pressure monitoring... To be honest, im surprised it has power steering.
I have noticed other Cobalts have more features in their computer display such as instantaneous MPG and tire pressure monitoring. What would I have to do to get those features on my car that isnt aftermarket stuff? Things like power windows is easy, since all id have to do is buy the right door panel, a power window motor, and do some wiring. Im mainly talking about things computer related. So for example, if I want to see tire pressure or instantaneous MPG in that little display on the dash, would it only be a simple matter of swapping out the computer, wherever that may be? Excluding the obvious additional hardware upgrades. Basically I want to upgrade my LS to an LT or even an SS. For those who would suggest buying a whole other car, that wouldnt make sense at all. Id lose a lot more money selling it and buying a new one than doing a few upgrades. Plus this thing has been suspiciously reliable for me, so I dont want to risk no longer having that with a car im not familiar with. I plan on keeping this car for as long as it stays alive (or im able to afford a new car), so it makes sense to do some upgrades on it over time. At least im not asking about major engine or transmission upgrades. |
With an 07, you might be able to reprogram the computers managing the car to enable some features that were not purchased with the car. Particularly displays. It may take some specialized knowledge to figure out what can be enabled and how to do it, though.
I know there are things you can turn on and off on a MINI (or BMW) by plugging a computer into the OBD2 port and running the correct programs... -soD |
Most likely can be done, probably just switch out the instrument cluster where the display is.
My intrepid was prewired for power and heated seats, the pcm looked to the instrument cluster to know if the car had autostick, and i only had to run one wire to the serial bus to add the overhead info system. |
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As mentioned earlier, many options you may already have, but have not been activated. I have come across many of these - electrical cabin heat, heated seats, traction control, fog lights, enabling reading mp3's, etc. In each case the hardware was installed in the factory, but not activated. |
Typically the programming is all the same, just different hardware that doesn't use it. Change the hardware and "activate" the software.
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Looks like others are much more knowledgeable about your question, so instead I'll just provide comments you don't want to hear.
Skip the TPMS. Owning such a system can be a headache of replacing batteries, pairing the monitor to the computer, accidentally ruining sensors when using tire slime or a careless tire change... Tires pretty much hold their pressure, or they soon become obvious that they aren't. Power mirrors are nice if you frequently change drivers, but fairly pointless if you don't. Sometimes I'll readjust a side mirror directly backwards if a driver behind me has particularly glaring headlights. Considering all the stuff you mentioned though, it would be cheaper and easier to sell your vehicle and buy the one you want. On the private party market, zero cash is lost in a sale or a purchase. Also, premium features depreciate rapidly on the private market, so you can get the upgrades for a modest amount more than paying for the base vehicle. When you go to sell, your upgraded car will get little to none of the extra value out of it since the VIN will say it's the base model. That might make the car easier to sell at it's fair value, but I doubt people will be willing to pay extra for the added features. I do understand wanting to keep a known vehicle, and there is even irrational psychology at play that causes us to value things we own more than things we do not. |
I know you said you didn't want to go aftermarket, but your money would be much better spent getting a Scangauge or Ultragauge that does everything, than adding the factory mileage display. That said, I swapped the tach-less gauge cluster for one that had a tach in the '97 Civic I had, mainly for looks. I also had an Ultragauge in it.
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Love my TPMS, not that I'd bother trying to add it, -2 this morning and left rear has 32 psi. My 09 XFEs only option is AC. Absolute accuracy of MPG indicaters really isn't important, it's just a learning tool to do better.
Kt's cobalt BCM died, that would be the one you'd have to replace to if a swap would enable stuff, but I think the a GM dealer has to match it with your VIN. If adventrous enouch look at HPturners to see if you bought one of them you can enable the features you want. They generally are aimed at ECM issue (tuning the engine) not sure if they allow you to get into the BCM, but we're talking $600. ABS/TC/ESC wasn't required till later 2011 or later, TPMS was required sooner, I'm guessing 08 or 09. |
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