Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
7-2 Infotainment System
To minimize taking your eyes off the
road while driving, do the following
while the vehicle is parked:
.Become familiar with the
operation and controls of the
audio system.
.Set up the tone, speaker
adjustments, and preset radio
stations.
For more information, see Defensive
Driving on page 9‑3. Notice:
Contact your dealer
before adding any equipment.
Adding audio or communication
equipment could interfere with
the operation of the engine, radio,
or other systems, and could
damage them. Follow federal
rules covering mobile radio and
telephone equipment.
Theft-Deterrent Feature
The theft-deterrent feature works by
learning a portion of the Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) to the
infotainment system. The
infotainment system does not
operate if it is stolen or moved to a
different vehicle.
Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
7-8 Infotainment System
Entering a Character Sequence
1. Turn the MENU/TUNE knob tohighlight the setting.
2. Press the MENU/TUNE button to select the character.
Audio Settings
The audio settings can be set for
each radio band and each audio
player source.
To quickly reset an audio setting
value to 0:
1. Press the TONE button.
2. Select the audio setting. 3. Press and hold the MENU/
TUNE button until the value
changes to 0.
Press the
/BACK button to go
back to the Tone Settings menu.
Adjusting the Treble, Midrange,
and Bass
1. Press the TONE button.
2. Select Treble, Midrange, or Bass.
3. Turn the MENU/TUNE knob to select the value between
‐12 and +12.
Press the
/BACK button to go
back to the Tone Settings menu. Adjusting the Fader and Balance
1. Press the TONE button.
2. Select Fader or Balance.
3. Turn the MENU/TUNE knob
to select the value between
‐15 and +15.
Press the
/BACK button to go
back to the Tone Settings menu.
Adjusting the EQ (Equalizer)
For vehicles with an equalizer:
1. Press the TONE button.
2. Select EQ.
3. Select the setting between Pop, Rock, Classical, Talk,
or Country.
Press the
/BACK button to go
back to the Tone Settings menu.
Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
7-10 Infotainment System
FAV 1‐2‐3:Press to open the
favorites list and select the
favorites page.
1 to 6: Press to select preset
stations.
RDS (Radio Data System)
The radio may have RDS. The RDS
feature is available for use only on
FM stations that broadcast RDS
information. This feature only works
when the information from the radio
station is available. In rare cases, a
radio station could broadcast
incorrect information that causes the
radio features to work improperly.
If this happens, contact the radio
station.
While the radio is tuned to an
FM-RDS station, the station name
or call letters display.
Radio Menus
Radio menus are available for AM
and FM.
Turn the MENU/TUNE knob to open
the main radio menu for that band.
Selecting a Band
Press the RADIO/BAND button to
choose AM, FM, or XM, if equipped.
The last station that was playing
starts playing again.
Selecting a Station
Seek Tuning
If the radio station is not known:
Briefly press SEEK
¨or©SEEK to
automatically search for the next
available station. If a station is not
found, the radio switches to a more
sensitive search level. If a station
still is not found, the frequency that
was last active begins to play.
If the radio station is known:
Press and hold SEEK
¨or©SEEK
until the station on the display is
reached, then release the button.
Favorites List
1. Turn the MENU/TUNE knob.
2. Select Favorites List.
3. Select the station. Station Lists
1. Turn the MENU/TUNE knob.
2. Select AM or FM Station List. All
receivable stations in the current
reception area are displayed. If a
station list has not been created,
an automatic station search
is done.
3. The first station in the list will play.
Category Lists
Most stations that broadcast an
RDS program type code specify the
type of programming transmitted.
Some stations change the program
type code depending on the
content. The system stores the RDS
stations sorted by program type in
the FM category list.
To search for a programming type
determined by station:
1. Turn the MENU/TUNE knob.
2. Select FM category list. A list of all programming types available
displays.
Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
Infotainment System 7-13
station. If this station was one of the
presets, choose another station for
that preset button.
RADIO ID:If tuned to channel 0,
this message alternates with the XM
Radio eight‐digit radio ID label. This
label is needed to activate the
service.
CHECK XM TUNER: If this
message does not clear within a
short period of time, the receiver
could have a fault. Consult with your
dealer.
Radio Reception
Frequency interference and static
can occur during normal radio
reception if items such as cell phone
chargers, vehicle convenience
accessories, and external electronic
devices are plugged into the
accessory power outlet. If there is
interference or static, unplug the
item from the accessory power
outlet.
AM
The range for most AM stations is
greater than for FM, especially at
night. The longer range can cause
station frequencies to interfere with
each other. For better radio
reception, most AM radio stations
boost the power levels during the
day, and then reduce these levels
during the night. Static can also
occur when things like storms and
power lines interfere with radio
reception. When this happens, try
reducing the treble on the radio.
FM Stereo
FM signals only reach about 16 to
65 km (10 to 40 mi). Although the
radio has a built-in electronic circuit
that automatically works to reduce
interference, some static can occur,
especially around tall buildings or
hills, causing the sound to fade in
and out.
XM Satellite Radio Service
XM Satellite Radio Service gives
digital radio reception from coast to
coast in the 48 contiguous United
States, and in Canada. Just as
with FM, tall buildings or hills can
interfere with satellite radio signals,
causing the sound to fade in and
out. In addition, traveling or standing
under heavy foliage, bridges,
garages, or tunnels may cause loss
of the XM signal for a period of time.
Cellular Phone Usage
Cellular phone usage may cause
interference with the vehicle's radio.
This interference may occur when
making or receiving phone calls,
charging the phone's battery, or
simply having the phone on. This
interference causes an increased
level of static while listening to the
radio. If static is received while
listening to the radio, unplug the
cellular phone and turn it off.
Black plate (30,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
9-30 Driving and Operating
Ifdcomes on and stays on, reset
the system:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
If
dstill comes on and stays on at a
speed above 20 km/h (13 mph), see
your dealer for service.
A chime may also sound when the
light comes on steady.
Notice: Do not repeatedly brake
or accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle's driveline could
be damaged.
TCS/StabiliTrak Button
TCS Off Light
TCS can be turned off by pressing
and releasing the TCS/StabiliTrak
button. When TCS is turned off, the
TCS Off light comes on and the
system will not limit wheel spin.
Driving should be adjusted accordingly. Press and release the
TCS/StabiliTrak button again to turn
the system back on.
It may be necessary to turn the
system off if the vehicle gets stuck
in sand, mud, or snow and rocking
the vehicle is required. See
If the
Vehicle Is Stuck on page 9‑10 for
more information. See also Winter
Driving on page 9‑9 for information
on using TCS when driving in snowy
or icy conditions.
If cruise control is being used when
TCS activates, cruise control will
automatically disengage. Press the
appropriate cruise control button to
reengage when road conditions
allow. See Cruise Control on
page 9‑32.
Adding accessories can affect the
vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications on
page 10‑3 for more information.
Black plate (31,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-31
StabiliTrak®System
The vehicle has a vehicle stability
enhancement system called
StabiliTrak. It is an advanced
computer controlled system that
assists with directional control of the
vehicle in difficult driving conditions.
StabiliTrak activates when the
computer senses a difference
between the intended path, and the
direction the vehicle is actually
traveling. StabiliTrak selectively
applies braking pressure at any one
of the vehicle's brakes to help steer
the vehicle in the intended direction.
StabiliTrak is on automatically
whenever the vehicle is started. To
assist with directional control of the
vehicle, the system should always
be left on.
TCS/StabiliTrak Light
When the stability control system
activates,
dflashes on the
instrument panel. This also occurs
when traction control is activated.
A noise may be heard or vibration
may be felt in the brake pedal. This
is normal. Continue to steer the
vehicle in the intended direction.
If there is a problem detected with
StabiliTrak, a message is displayed
on the Driver Information Center
(DIC). See Vehicle Messages on
page 5‑26. When this message is
displayed and/or
dcomes on and
stays on, the vehicle is safe to drive
but the system is not operational.
Driving should be adjusted
accordingly. If
dcomes on and stays on, reset
the system:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
If
dstill comes on and stays on at a
speed above 20 km/h (13 mph), see
your dealer for service.
TCS/StabiliTrak Button
Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
10-12 Vehicle Care
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the filter before disposal. Never
dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash or pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
indicated can vary considerably. For
the oil life system to work properly,
the system must be reset every time
the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished, it
indicates that an oil change isnecessary. A Code 82 (change
engine oil soon) DIC message
comes on. See
Vehicle Messages
on page 5‑26. Change the oil as
soon as possible within the next
1 000 km (600 mi). It is possible that,
if driving under the best conditions,
the oil life system might indicate that
an oil change is not necessary for
up to a year. The engine oil and
filter must be changed at least once
a year and, at this time, the system
must be reset. Your dealer has
trained service people who will
perform this work and reset the
system. It is also important to check
the oil regularly over the course of
an oil drain interval and keep it at
the proper level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 5 000 km (3,000 mi)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
Reset the system whenever the
engine oil is changed so that the
system can calculate the next
engine oil change. To reset the
system:
1. Using the DIC MENU button and thumbwheel, scroll until you
reach Remaining Oil Life on
the DIC.
2. Press the SET/CLR button to reset the oil life at 100%. When
prompted, use the thumbwheel
to highlight YES or NO. Press
the SET/CLEAR button to
confirm.
Be careful not to reset the oil life
display accidentally at any time
other than after the oil is changed.
It cannot be reset accurately.
If the Code 82 DIC message comes
back on when the vehicle is started,
the engine oil life system has not
reset. Repeat the procedure.
Black plate (29,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-29
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp aim has been preset at
the factory and should need no
further adjustment.
However, if the vehicle is damaged
in a crash, the headlamp aim may
be affected. Aim adjustment to the
low-beam headlamps may be
necessary if oncoming drivers flash
their high-beam headlamps at you
(for vertical aim).
If the headlamps need to be
re-aimed, it is recommended that
the vehicle be taken to a dealer for
service.
Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement
bulbs, seeReplacement Bulbs on
page 10‑32.
For any bulb‐changing procedure
not listed in this section, contact
your dealer.
Halogen Bulbs
{WARNING
Halogen bulbs have pressurized
gas inside and can burst if you
drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure
to read and follow the instructions
on the bulb package.
Headlamps, Front Turn
Signal and Parking
Lamps
Passenger Side Shown, Driver
Side Similar
A. High‐Beam Headlamp
B. Low‐Beam Headlamp
C. Parking/Turn Signal Lamps