Black plate (2,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
8-2 Climate Controls
Temperature Control:Turn
clockwise or counterclockwise to
increase or decrease the
temperature.
A(Fan Control): Turn clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the fan speed. Turning the
fan control to 0 turns the fan off. The
fan must be turned on to run the air
conditioning compressor.
Air Delivery Mode Control: Turn
clockwise or counterclockwise to
change the current airflow mode.
Select from the following air delivery
modes:
Y(Vent): Air is directed to the
instrument panel outlets.
\(Bi-Level): Air is divided
between the instrument panel and
floor outlets.
[(Floor): Air is directed to the
floor outlets, with some air directed
to the rear outlets.
W(Defog): This mode clears the
windows of fog or moisture. Air is
directed to the floor, windshield, and
side window outlets.
1(Defrost): This mode clears
the windshield of fog or frost more
quickly. Air is directed to the
windshield and side window outlets.
Do not drive the vehicle until all
windows are clear.
#(Air Conditioning): For
vehicles with air conditioning, follow
these steps to use the system. Turn
Ato the desired speed. The air
conditioning does not operate when
the fan control knob is in the off
position. Press
#to turn the air
conditioning on and off. When
#is
pressed, an indicator light comes on
to show that the air conditioning
is on. For quick cool down on hot days, do
the following:
1. Open the windows to let hot air
escape.
2. Press
M.
3. Press
#.
4. Select the coolest temperature.
5. Select the highest
Aspeed.
Using these settings together for
long periods of time may cause the
air inside the vehicle to become too
dry. To prevent this from happening,
after the air in the vehicle has
cooled, turn the recirculation
mode off.
M(Recirculation): This mode
recirculates and helps to quickly
cool the air inside the vehicle. It can
be used to prevent outside air and
odors from entering the vehicle.
Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
Climate Controls 8-3
Press the button to turn the
recirculation mode on. An indicator
light comes on to show that the
recirculation is on. Press the button
again to return to outside air mode.
Using the recirculation mode for
extended periods may cause the
windows to fog. If this happens,
select the defrost mode.
M/LHeated Seats (If
Equipped): Press to heat the driver
or passenger seat. See Heated
Front Seats on page 3‑7.
Rear Window and Outside
Mirror Defogger
1(Rear Window Defogger):
Press to turn the rear window and
outside mirror defogger on or off.
An indicator light comes on to show
that the feature is on. The rear window defogger turns off
after about 10 minutes. It can also
be turned off by pressing
1again
or by turning the ignition to ACC/
ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF.
If turned on again it runs for about
five minutes before turning off.
For vehicles with heated outside
rearview mirrors, they turn on with
the rear window defogger and help
to clear fog or frost from the surface
of the mirror. See Heated Mirrors on
page 2‑13.
Notice: Do not use anything
sharp on the inside of the rear
window. If you do, you could cut
or damage the warming grid, and
the repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do not
attach a temporary vehicle
license, tape, a decal, or anything
similar to the defogger grid.
Air Vents
Use the air vents located in the
center and on the side of the
instrument panel to direct the
airflow. Move the slats on the center
air vents to direct airflow.
Turn the knobs on the side air vents
counterclockwise or clockwise to
open or close off the airflow.
Operation Tips
.Clear away any ice, snow or
leaves from the air inlets at the
base of the windshield that may
block the flow of air into the
vehicle.
.Use of non-GM approved hood
deflectors may adversely affect
the performance of the system.
.Keep the path under the front
seats clear of objects to help
circulate the air inside the
vehicle more effectively.
Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
9-10 Driving and Operating
WARNING (Continued)
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
.Clear away snow from around
the base of your vehicle,
especially any that is blocking
the exhaust pipe.
.Check again from time to
time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
.Open a window about 5 cm
(2 in) on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the
wind to bring in fresh air.
.Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
.Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that
circulates the air inside the
vehicle and set the fan speed
to the highest setting. See
“Climate Control Systems”in
the Index.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9‑22.
Run the engine for short periods
only as needed to keep warm, but
be careful.
To save fuel, run the engine for only
short periods as needed to warm
the vehicle and then shut the engine
off and close the window most of
the way to save heat. Repeat this
until help arrives but only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the
cold. Moving about to keep warm
also helps.
If it takes some time for help to
arrive, now and then when you run
the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs
faster than the idle speed. This
keeps the battery charged to restart
the vehicle and to signal for help
with the headlamps. Do this as little
as possible to save fuel.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the
traction system off and use the
rocking method.
{WARNING
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you
or others could be injured. The
vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment fire or other
damage. Spin the wheels as little
as possible and avoid going
above 55 km/h (35 mph).
For information about using tire
chains on the vehicle, see Tire
Chains on page 10‑57.
Black plate (19,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
Driving and Operating 9-19
Engine Heater
The engine heater can provide
easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up in
cold weather conditions at or below
−18°C (0°F). Vehicles with an
engine heater should be plugged in
at least four hours before starting.
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap theelectrical cord. The cord is
located in the driver side of the
engine compartment, near the
battery. It is shipped from the factory with a tie holding it in
place. Use care in removing the
tie so that the cord is not
damaged.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{WARNING
Plugging the cord into an
ungrounded outlet could cause an
electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could
overheat and cause a fire. You
could be seriously injured. Plug
the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet.
If the cord will not reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension
cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the
cord as it was before to keep it
away from moving engine parts.
If you do not it could be
damaged. The length of time the heater should
remain plugged in depends on
several factors. Ask a dealer in the
area where you will be parking the
vehicle for the best advice on this.
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
These vehicle accessories may be
used for up to 10 minutes after the
engine is turned off:
.Audio System
.Power Windows
.Sunroof
The power windows and sunroof will
continue to work for up to
10 minutes or until any door is
opened. The radio will work when
the key is in ON/RUN or ACC/
ACCESSORY. Once the key is
turned from ON/RUN to LOCK/OFF,
the radio will continue to work for
10 minutes, or until the driver door is
opened or the key is removed from
the ignition.
Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
9-22 Driving and Operating
Parking over Things
That Burn
{WARNING
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the
vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn.
Engine Exhaust
{WARNING
Engine exhaust contains carbon
monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. Exposure to CO
can cause unconsciousness and
even death.
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:
.The vehicle idles in areas
with poor ventilation (parking
garages, tunnels, deep snow
that may block underbody
airflow or tail pipes).
.The exhaust smells or
sounds strange or different.
.The exhaust system leaks
due to corrosion or damage.
.The vehicle exhaust system
has been modified, damaged
or improperly repaired.(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.There are holes or openings
in the vehicle body from
damage or aftermarket
modifications that are not
completely sealed.
If unusual fumes are detected or
if it is suspected that exhaust is
coming into the vehicle:
.Drive it only with the windows
completely down.
.Have the vehicle repaired
immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the
engine running in an enclosed
area such as a garage or a
building that has no fresh air
ventilation.
Black plate (20,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
10-20 Vehicle Care
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has an indicator to warn
of the engine overheating.
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
get service help right away. See
Roadside Assistance Program on
page 13‑5.
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine
cooling fan is running. If the engine
is overheating, the fan should be
running. If it is not, do not continue
to run the engine. Have the vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Engine damage from
running the engine without
coolant is not covered by the
warranty. Notice:
If the engine catches fire
because of being driven with no
coolant, the vehicle can be badly
damaged. The costly repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
If Steam Is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{WARNING
Steam from an overheated engine
can burn you badly, even if you
just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it
off and get everyone away from
the vehicle until it cools down.
Wait until there is no sign of
steam or coolant before you open
the hood.
If you keep driving when the
engine is overheated, the liquids
in it can catch fire. You or others
could be badly burned. Stop the
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
engine if it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.
If No Steam Is Coming from
the Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
.Stops after high-speed driving.
.Idles for long periods in traffic.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam:
1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the highest
fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary.
Black plate (35,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
Vehicle Care 10-35
Number Usage1 Front Wiper Speed
Relay
2 Antilock Brake
System Pump
3 Front Wiper
Control Relay
4 Front Wiper
5 Blower
6 Antilock Brake
System Valve
7 Sunroof
8 Not Used
9 Rear Wiper
10 Regulated Voltage
Control
11 Antilock Brake
System Fluid
12 Automatic
Occupant
Sensing/ROS Number Usage
13 Outside Rearview
Mirror
14 Rear Window
Defogger Relay
15 Rear Window
Defogger
16 Spare
17 Spare
18 Spare
19 Spare
20 Spare
21 Spare
22 Spare
23 Not Used
24 Run/Crank
25 Run/Crank Relay
26 Not Used
27 Not Used
Black plate (38,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2012
10-38 Vehicle Care
Number Usage12 Body Control
Module
13 Body Control
Module
14 Instrument Panel
Cluster
15 OnStar
16 Ultrasonic Parking
Assist
17 Driver Information
Center
18 Audio
19 Trailer
20 VLBS
21 CHEVYSTAR Number Usage
22 Heating,
Ventilation, Air
Conditioning
23 HDLP ALC
24 Clutch
25 Instrument Panel
Cluster/Automatic
Occupant Sensing
26 Airbag Run/Crank
27 Run Relay
28 Tailgate Relay
29 Trailer Run/Crank
30 Clock Spring
31 Heating,
Ventilation, and Air
Conditioning Number Usage
32 Spare
33 Sunroof
34 Cigarette Lighter
35 Spare
36 Rear Power
Windows
37 Front Power
Windows
38 RAP/ACCY
39 DC/DC Converter
40 Driver Power
Window
41 PTC2
42 PTC1
43 Battery Connector