2012 CHEVROLET SONIC engine oil

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 (14,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
10-14 Vehicle Care
How to Check and Add Fluid
Visually check the brake/clutch fluid
reservoir to make sure the fluid level
is at the MIN (minimum) line on the
side of the reservoir. The brake/
hydraulic clutch fluid system should
be closed and sealed.
Do not remove the cap to check the
fluid level or to top‐off the fluid level.
Remove the cap only when
necessary to add the proper fluid
until the level reaches the MIN line.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter is
located in the engine compartment
on the passenger side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 10‑6 for more
information on location.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/filter at the
scheduled maintenance intervals.
See Maintenance Schedule on
page 11‑3 for more information.
If you are driving in dusty/dirty
conditions, inspect the filter at
each engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the engine air cleaner/
filter, remove the filter from the
vehicle and lightly shake the filter to
release loose dust and dirt. If the
filter remains covered with dirt, a
new filter is required.
To inspect or replace the air cleaner/
filter:
1.4L L4 Engine

Black plate (16,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
10-16 Vehicle Care
1.8L L4 Engine
A. Engine Electric Cooling Fan (Out of View)
B. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
{WARNING
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{WARNING
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you do,
you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak. If you run the engine, it
could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you
could be burned. Get any leak
fixed before you drive the vehicle.
Notice: Using coolant other than
DEX‐COOL
®can cause premature
engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant may require changing
sooner, at the first maintenance
service after each 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Any
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Always use
DEX‐COOL
®(silicate‐free) coolant
in the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in the vehicle for 5 years or
240 000 km (150,000 mi), whichever
occurs first.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
see Engine Overheating on
page 10‑20.
What to Use
{WARNING
Adding only plain water or some
other liquid to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water
and other liquids, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The coolant warning system is set
for the proper coolant mixture.
(Continued)

Black plate (17,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-17
WARNING (Continued)
With plain water or the wrong
mixture, the engine could get too
hot but you would not get the
overheat warning. The engine
could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. This mixture:
.Gives freezing protection down
to −37°C (−34°F), outside
temperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to
129°C (265°F), engine
temperature.
.Protects against rust and
corrosion.
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Notice: If an improper coolant
mixture is used, the engine could
overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Too much water in the mixture
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and other
parts.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or into sewers, streams,
or bodies of water. Have the coolant
changed by an authorized service
center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used
coolant disposal. This will help
protect the environment and your
health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
It is normal to see coolant moving in
the upper coolant hose return line
when the engine is running.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until
it cools down.
If coolant is visible but the coolant
level is not at or above the mark
pointed to, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant.
Be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done.

Black plate (18,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
10-18 Vehicle Care
If no coolant is visible in the coolant
surge tank, add coolant as follows:
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
Notice:This vehicle has a
specific coolant fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.
If no problem is found, check to see
if coolant is visible in the coolant
surge tank. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level is not at
the indicated level mark, add a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant at
the coolant surge tank, but be sure
the cooling system, including the
coolant surge tank pressure cap,
is cool before you do it.
{WARNING
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out
and burn you badly. They are
under pressure, and if you turn
the coolant surge tank pressure
cap —even a little —they can
come out at high speed. Never
turn the cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
coolant surge tank pressure cap
to cool if you ever have to turn
the pressure cap.
{WARNING
Adding only plain water or some
other liquid to the cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water
and other liquids, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The coolant warning system is set
for the proper coolant mixture.
With plain water or the wrong
mixture, the engine could get too
hot but you would not get the
overheat warning. The engine
could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant.
Notice: In cold weather, water
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core and other
parts. Use the recommended
coolant and the proper coolant
mixture.

Black plate (24,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
10-24 Vehicle Care
since a leak means that sooner
or later the brakes and/or clutch
will not work well.
Do not top off the brake/clutch fluid.
Adding fluid does not correct a leak.
If fluid is added when the linings are
worn, there will be too much fluid
when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove brake fluid,
as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake/clutch hydraulic
system.
{WARNING
If too much brake fluid is added, it
can spill on the engine and burn,
if the engine is hot enough. You
or others could be burned, and
the vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake fluid only when work is
done on the brake/clutch
hydraulic system. When the brake/clutch fluid falls to a
low level, the brake warning light
comes on. See
Brake System
Warning Light on page 5‑16.
What to Add
Use only new DOT 3 brake fluid
from a sealed container. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11‑13.
Always clean the brake/clutch fluid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it. This
helps keep dirt from entering the
reservoir.
{WARNING
With the wrong kind of fluid in the
brake/clutch hydraulic system, the
brakes might not work well. This
could cause a crash. Always use
the proper brake/clutch fluid. Notice
.Using the wrong fluid can
badly damage brake/clutch
hydraulic system parts. For
example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as
engine oil, in the brake
hydraulic system can
damage brake hydraulic
system parts so badly that
they will have to be replaced.
Do not let someone put in
the wrong kind of fluid.
.If brake fluid is spilled on
the vehicle's painted
surfaces, the paint finish can
be damaged. Be careful not
to spill brake fluid on the
vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately.

Black plate (36,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
10-36 Vehicle Care
Number Usage28 Heated Outside
Rearview Mirror
29 Not Used
30 Heated Front Seat
31 Fuel System
Control Module 1
(1.4L), Not
Used (1.8L)
32 Flex Fuel
33 Washer
34 Fuel Pump
Relay (1.8L)
35 Fuel Pump (1.8L)
36 Engine Control
Module/
Transmission
Control Module
37 Fuel System
Control Module 2
(1.4L), Not
Used (1.8L)
38 Not Used Number Usage
39 Cooling Fan K5
40 Cooling Fan K4
41 EVP
42 Engine Control
Module
43 Air Conditioning
Compressor Clutch
44 Transmission
Control Module
45 Engine Control
Module 1
46 Coil
47 Engine Control
Module 4
48 Engine Control
Module 3
49 Engine Control
Module 2
50 Injector
51 Powertrain Relay Number Usage
52 Horn
53 Cooling Fan K3
Relay (1.8L),
Cooling Fan K3
High Current
Relay (1.4L)
54 Start
55 Start Relay
56 Air Conditioning
Compressor Clutch
Relay
57 High‐Beam Relay
58 Front Fog Lamps
59 Left High Beam
60 Right High Beam
61 Cooling Fan K1
Relay
62 Cooling Fan K2
Relay (1.4L)

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
Service and Maintenance 11-3
Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services‐Normal chart.
The Additional Required
Services ‐Severe are for vehicles
that are:
.Mainly driven in hilly or
mountainous terrain.
.Frequently towing a trailer.
.Used for high speed or
competitive driving.
.Used for taxi, police, or delivery
service. Refer to the information in the
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services
‐Severe chart.
{WARNING
Performing maintenance work can
be dangerous and can cause
serious injury. Perform
maintenance work only if the
required information, proper tools,
and equipment are available.
If they are not, see your dealer to
have a trained technician do the
work. See Doing Your Own
Service Work on page 10‑4.
Maintenance
Schedule
Owner Checks and Services
At Each Fuel Stop
.Check the engine oil level. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑9.
Once a Month
.Check the tire inflation
pressures. See Tire Pressure on
page 10‑45.
.Inspect the tires for wear. See
Tire Inspection on page 10‑50.
.Check the windshield washer
fluid level. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑21.