2012 CHEVROLET SONIC Owners Manual

Black plate (21,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
In Brief 1-21
Roadside Assistance and OnStar
If you have an active OnStar
subscription, press the
Qbutton
and the current GPS location will be
sent to an OnStar advisor who will
assess your problem, contact
Roadside Assistance, and relay
your exact location to get the help
you need. Online Owner Center
The Online Owner Center is a
complimentary service that includes
online service reminders, vehicle
maintenance tips, online owner
manual, special privileges,
and more.
Sign up today at:
www.chevyownercenter.com
(U.S.) or
www.gm.ca (Canada).
OnStar®
If equipped, this vehicle has a
comprehensive, in-vehicle system
that can connect to a live Advisor
for Emergency, Security, Navigation,
Connection, and Diagnostic
Services. See OnStar Overview on
page 14‑1 for more information.

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
1-22 In Brief
2NOTES

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-1
Keys, Doors, and
Windows
Keys and Locks
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
Central Locking System . . . . . . . 2-7
Door Ajar Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Doors
Trunk (Sedan) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Liftgate (Hatchback) . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Vehicle Security
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Anti-theft Alarm System . . . . . . 2-11
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Immobilizer Operation . . . . . . . . 2-11
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Manual Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Interior Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror . . . . . . 2-14
Windows
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Manual Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Roof
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17

Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
2-2 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Keys and Locks
Keys
{WARNING
Leaving children in a vehicle with
the ignition key is dangerous for
many reasons. Children or others
could be badly injured or even
killed. They could operate the
power windows or other controls
or even make the vehicle move.
The windows will function with the
keys in the ignition and children
could be seriously injured or killed
if caught in the path of a closing
window. Do not leave the keys in
a vehicle with children.
The key that is part of the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter
can be used for the ignition and all
locks.Press the button on the RKE
transmitter to extend the key. Press
the button and the key blade to
retract the key.
See your dealer if a new key is
needed.
Notice:If the keys get locked in
the vehicle, it may have to be
damaged to get them out. Always
carry a spare key.
If you are locked out of the vehicle,
see Roadside Assistance Program
on page 13‑5.

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
SeeRadio Frequency Statement on
page 13‑15 for information
regarding Part 15 of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
rules and Industry Canada
Standards RSS-GEN/210/220/310.
If there is a decrease in the RKE
operating range:
.Check the distance. The
transmitter may be too far from
the vehicle.
.Check the location. Other
vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal.
.Check the transmitter's battery.
See “Battery Replacement” later
in this section.
.If the transmitter is still not
working correctly, see your
dealer or a qualified technician
for service.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation
The RKE transmitter will work up to
20 m (65 ft) away from the vehicle.
Other conditions can affect the
performance of the transmitter. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System on page 2‑3.
RKE without Remote Start Shown
The following buttons are on the
transmitter:
Q(Lock): Press to lock all doors.
The turn signal indicators may flash
and/or the horn may sound to indicate locking; see
“Remote
Lock Feedback” underVehicle
Personalization on page 5‑27.
If any door is open when
Qis
pressed, all doors lock. These
settings can be modified. See
“Unlocked Door Anti Lock Out”
under Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑27.
Pressing
Qmay also arm the
theft-deterrent system. See
Anti-theft Alarm System on
page 2‑11.
K(Unlock): Press to unlock the
driver door or all doors; see
“Remote Door Unlock” under
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑27. The turn signal
indicators flash to indicate unlocking
has occurred. For more information
see “Remote Unlock Feedback”
under Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑27. Pressing
Kmay also
disarm the theft-deterrent system.
See Anti-theft Alarm System on
page 2‑11.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
2-4 Keys, Doors, and Windows
V(Remote Trunk Release):
Press to open the trunk.
7(Vehicle Locator/Panic
Alarm): Press and release one
time to locate the vehicle. The
exterior lamps flash and the horn
chirps. Press and hold
7for at least
two seconds to sound the panic
alarm. The horn sounds and the
turn signals flash until
7is pressed
again, or the key is placed in the
ignition and turned to ON/RUN.
/(Remote Vehicle Start) : For
vehicles with this feature, press
Q
and then press and hold/within
five seconds to start the engine from
outside the vehicle using the RKE
transmitter. See Remote Vehicle
Start on page 2‑4 for additional
information.
The buttons on the keys are
disabled when there is a key
in the ignition.
Programming Transmitters to
the Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmed
to this vehicle will work. If a
transmitter is lost or stolen, a
replacement can be purchased and
programmed through your dealer.
When the replacement transmitter is
programmed to this vehicle, all
remaining transmitters must also be
reprogrammed. Any lost or stolen
transmitters will no longer work
once the new transmitter is
programmed. See your dealer to
have new transmitters programmed.
Battery Replacement
The battery is not rechargeable.
To replace the battery:
1. Push the button on the transmitter to extend the key.
2. Remove the battery cover by prying with a finger.
3. Remove the old battery. 4. Insert the new battery, positive
side facing up. Replace with a
CR2032 or equivalent battery.
5. Snap the battery cover back on to the transmitter.
Remote Vehicle Start
The vehicle may have this feature
that allows you to start the engine
from outside the vehicle.
/(Remote Vehicle Start): This
button will be on the RKE
transmitter if the vehicle has remote
start.
The climate control will default to
the last used heating or cooling
mode. If the vehicle has heated
seats, they may come on during a
remote start. See Heated Front
Seats on page 3‑7 for more
information.
Laws in some local communities
may restrict the use of remote
starters. For example, some laws
require a person using remote start

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-5
to have the vehicle in view. Check
local regulations for any
requirements.
Other conditions can affect the
performance of the transmitter. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System on page 2‑3for additional
information.
Starting the Vehicle
To start the engine using the remote
start feature:
1. Aim the RKE transmitter at the vehicle.
2. Press and release
Q.
3. Immediately after completing Step 2, press and hold
/until
the turn signal lamps flash, or for
about two seconds if the vehicle
is not in view. When the engine starts, the parking
lamps will turn on and remain on as
long as the engine is running. The
doors will be locked and the climate
control system may come on.
The engine will continue to run for
10 minutes. Repeat the steps for a
10-minute time extension. Remote
start can be extended only once.
Insert the key and turn it to ON/RUN
before driving.
Extending Engine Run Time
For a 10-minute extension, repeat
Steps 1 through 3 while the engine
is still running. The remote start can
be extended once.
When the remote start is extended,
the second 10 minutes will start
immediately.
For example, if the engine has been
running for five minutes, and
10 minutes are added, the engine
will run for a total of 15 minutes. A maximum of two remote starts,
or a single start with an extension,
are allowed between ignition cycles.
After this, the vehicle's ignition
switch must be turned to ON/RUN
and then back to LOCK/OFF using
the key, before the remote start
procedure can be used again.
Canceling a Remote Start
To cancel a remote start, do one of
the following:
.Aim the RKE transmitter at the
vehicle and press and hold
/
until the parking lamps turn off.
.Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
.Turn the vehicle on and then off.

Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
2-6 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Conditions in Which Remote Start
Will Not Work
The remote vehicle start feature will
not operate if:
.The key is in the ignition.
.The hood is not closed.
.The hazard warning flashers
are on.
.The malfunction indicator lamp
is on.
.The engine coolant temperature
is too high.
.The oil pressure is low.
.Two remote vehicle starts, or a
single remote start with an
extension, have already
been used.
.The vehicle is not in P (Park).
Door Locks
{WARNING
Unlocked doors can be
dangerous.
.Passengers, especially
children, can easily open the
doors and fall out of a moving
vehicle. When a door is
locked, the handle will not
open it. The chance of being
thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash is increased if the
doors are not locked. So, all
passengers should wear
safety belts properly and the
doors should be locked
whenever the vehicle is
driven.
.Young children who get into
unlocked vehicles may be
unable to get out. A child can
be overcome by extreme heat
and can suffer permanent(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
injuries or even death from
heat stroke. Always lock the
vehicle whenever leaving it.
.Outsiders can easily enter
through an unlocked door
when you slow down or stop
the vehicle. Locking the doors
can help prevent this from
happening.
To lock or unlock the doors from
outside the vehicle:
.Use the key in the driver door to
lock all doors or unlock the
driver door only.
.PressQorKon the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
See Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation on
page 2‑3.