2012 CHEVROLET SONIC lock

Black plate (67,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-67
12. Turn the air only hose (J)counterclockwise to remove it
from the tire valve stem.
13. Replace the tire valve stem cap.
14. Return the air only hose (J) and power plug (I) back to their
original storage location.
15. Return the equipment to its original storage location in the
vehicle.
The tire sealant and compressor kit
has accessory adapters located in a
compartment on the bottom of its
housing that can be used to inflate
air mattresses, balls, etc.Storing the Tire Sealant
and Compressor Kit
The tire sealant and compressor kit
is located in the rear storage area.
1. Lift the trim cover.
2. Remove the tire sealant canister (A) and the
compressor (B). To store the tire sealant canister and
compressor:
1. Attach the sealant/air hose to
the sealant canister inlet valve.
2. Return the sealant canister and the compressor to their original
storage location.
Tire Changing
Removing the Spare Tire and
Tools
The compact spare tire and tools
are located in the storage
compartment in the rear of the
vehicle.
To access the spare tire and tools:
1. Open the trunk or liftgate. See
Trunk (Sedan) on page 2‑8 or
Liftgate (Hatchback) on
page 2‑10.
2. Lift the trim cover.

Black plate (68,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
10-68 Vehicle Care
3. Turn the retainercounterclockwise and remove it
from the compact spare.
4. Remove the compact spare tire. See Compact Spare Tire on
page 10‑73 for more information.A. Extension
B. Jack
C. Wheel Wrench
D. Strap
5. The jack and tools are stored below the spare tire. Remove
them from their container and
place them near the tire being
changed.
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
1. Do a safety check before
proceeding. See If a Tire Goes
Flat on page 10‑58.
2. Remove the wheel cover, if the vehicle has one, to reach the
wheel bolts.

Black plate (69,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-69
3. Turn the wheel nutscounterclockwise to loosen
them. Do not remove them yet.4. Place the jack at the positionmarked with a half circle.5. Insert the jack handle into thejack and the wheel wrench onto
the end of the jack handle.

Black plate (70,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
10-70 Vehicle Care
6. Turn the wheel wrenchclockwise until the lift head is
firmly contacting the proper
lifting point nearest the flat tire.
{WARNING
Getting under a vehicle when it is
jacked up is dangerous. If the
vehicle slips off the jack, you
could be badly injured or killed.
Never get under a vehicle when it
is supported only by a jack.
{WARNING
Raising the vehicle with the jack
improperly positioned can
damage the vehicle and even
make the vehicle fall. To help
avoid personal injury and vehicle
damage, be sure to fit the jack lift
head into the proper location
before raising the vehicle. 7. Turn the wheel wrench
clockwise to raise the vehicle.
Raise the vehicle far enough off
the ground so there is enough
room for the compact spare tire
to fit underneath the wheel well.
8. Turn the wheel nuts counterclockwise to
remove them.
9. Remove the flat tire.
{WARNING
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
make wheel nuts become loose
after time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle. In
an emergency, a cloth or a paper
towel can be used; however, use
a scraper or wire brush later to
remove all rust or dirt.
10. Remove any rust or dirt from the wheel bolts, mounting
surfaces, and spare wheel.
11. Place the compact spare tire on the wheel-mounting surface.

Black plate (71,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-71
{WARNING
Never use oil or grease on bolts
or nuts because the nuts might
come loose. The vehicle's wheel
could fall off, causing a crash.
12. Reinstall the wheel nuts. Tighten each nut by hand until
the wheel is held against
the hub.
13. Lower the vehicle by turning the wheel wrench
counterclockwise. Lower the
jack completely.
{WARNING
Wheel nuts that are improperly or
incorrectly tightened can cause
the wheels to become loose or
come off. The wheel nuts should
be tightened with a torque wrench
to the proper torque specification
after replacing. Follow the torque
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
specification supplied by the
aftermarket manufacturer when
using accessory locking wheel
nuts. SeeCapacities and
Specifications on page 12‑2 for
original equipment wheel nut
torque specifications.
Notice: Improperly tightened
wheel nuts can lead to brake
pulsation and rotor damage. To
avoid expensive brake repairs,
evenly tighten the wheel nuts in
the proper sequence and to the
proper torque specification. See
Capacities and Specifications on
page 12‑2 for the wheel nut
torque specification.
14. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in
a crisscross sequence, as
shown.
Notice: Wheel covers will not fit
on the vehicle's compact spare.
If you try to put a wheel cover on
the compact spare, the cover or
the spare could be damaged.

Black plate (75,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-75
transmission, orParking on
page 9‑21 with a manual
transmission.
Notice: If any accessories are left
on or plugged in during the jump
starting procedure, they could
be damaged. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Whenever possible,
turn off or unplug all accessories
on either vehicle when jump
starting the vehicle.
4. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF. Turn off all lights and
accessories in both vehicles,
except the hazard warning
flashers if needed.{WARNING
An electric fan can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{WARNING
Using a match near a battery can
cause battery gas to explode.
People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded.
Use a flashlight if you need more
light.
Be sure the battery has enough
water. You do not need to add
water to the battery installed in
your new vehicle. But if a battery
has filler caps, be sure the right
amount of fluid is there. If it is low,
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
add water to take care of that
first. If you do not, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
{WARNING
Fans or other moving engine
parts can injure you badly. Keep
your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.

Black plate (78,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
10-78 Vehicle Care
Here are some important things to
consider before recreational vehicle
towing:
.What is the towing capacity
of the towing vehicle? Be
sure to read the tow vehicle
manufacturer's
recommendations.
.What is the distance that will be
travelled? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how
long they can tow.
.Is the proper towing equipment
going to be used? See your
dealer or trailering professional
for additional advice and
equipment recommendations.
.Is the vehicle ready to be
towed? Just as preparing the
vehicle for a long trip, make sure
the vehicle is prepared to be
towed.
Dinghy Towing
When dinghy towing a vehicle with
an automatic transmission, the
vehicle should be run at the
beginning of each day and at each
RV fuel stop for about five minutes.
This will ensure proper lubrication of
transmission components.
To dinghy tow the vehicle from the
front with all four wheels on the
ground:
1. Position the vehicle to tow andthen secure it to the towing
vehicle. 2. Shift the automatic transmission
to P (Park) or a manual
transmission into 1 (First) gear
and turn the ignition to
LOCK/OFF.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. To prevent the battery from draining while the vehicle is
being towed, remove the
following fuse from the
instrument panel fuse
block: (DLIS). See Instrument
Panel Fuse Block on page 10‑37
for more information.
5. Turn the ignition to ACC/ ACCESSORY.
6. Shift the automatic transmission to N (Neutral) or a manual
transmission to Neutral.
7. Release the parking brake.
Remember to reinstall the DLIS fuse
once the destination has been
reached.

Black plate (82,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
10-82 Vehicle Care
Tires
Use a stiff brush with tire cleaner to
clean the tires.
Notice:Using petroleum-based
tire dressing products on the
vehicle may damage the paint
finish and/or tires. When applying
a tire dressing, always wipe off
any overspray from all painted
surfaces on the vehicle.
Wheels and Trim —Aluminum
or Chrome
Use a soft, clean cloth with mild
soap and water to clean the wheels.
After rinsing thoroughly with clean
water, dry with a soft, clean towel.
A wax may then be applied.
Keep the wheels clean using a soft,
clean cloth with mild soap and
water. Rinse with clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry with a soft,
clean towel. A wax may then be
applied. Notice:
Chrome wheels and other
chrome trim may be damaged if
the vehicle is not washed after
driving on roads that have been
sprayed with magnesium,
calcium, or sodium chloride.
These chlorides are used on
roads for conditions such as ice
and dust. Always wash the
chrome with soap and water after
exposure.
Notice: To avoid surface damage,
do not use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes,
cleaners, brushes, or cleaners
that contain acid on aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels. Use only
approved cleaners. Also, never
drive a vehicle with aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels through an
automatic car wash that uses
silicone carbide tire cleaning
brushes. Damage could occur
and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Steering, Suspension, and
Chassis Components
Visually inspect front and rear
suspension and steering system for
damaged, loose, or missing parts or
signs of wear. Inspect hoses for
proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc. Visually check
constant velocity joints, rubber
boots, and axle seals for leaks.
Body Component Lubrication
Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
hood hinges, liftgate hinges, and the
steel fuel door hinge unless the
components are plastic. Applying
silicone grease on weatherstrips
with a clean cloth will make them
last longer, seal better, and not stick
or squeak.
Underbody Maintenance
Use plain water to flush dirt and
debris from the vehicle's underbody.
Your dealer or an underbody car
washing system can do this. If not
removed, rust and corrosion can
develop.