2013 CHEVROLET SONIC trunk

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd PrintReady - 10/18/12
In Brief 1-1
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Trunk Release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-7
Second Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 1-8
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Passenger Sensing System . . . 1-9
Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-10
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 1-11
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-13
Vehicle Features
Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-14
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . 1-15
Bluetooth
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . 1-16
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-17
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control System (TCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-18
StabiliTrak
®System . . . . . . . . . 1-18
Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . 1-18
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . 1-19
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd PrintReady - 10/18/12
1-4 In Brief
Initial Drive
Information
This section provides a brief
overview about some of the
important features that may or may
not be on your specific vehicle.
For more detailed information, refer
to each of the features which can be
found later in this owner manual.
Starting the Engine
The vehicle has a
Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. It assists in starting the
engine and protects components.
If the ignition key is turned to
START and then released when the
engine begins cranking, the engine
will continue cranking for a few
seconds or until the engine starts.
If the engine does not start and the
key is held in START, cranking will
be stopped after 15 seconds to
prevent damage. To prevent gear
damage, cranking is not allowed if
the engine is running. Enginecranking can be stopped by turning
the ignition key to ACC/
ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF. See
Starting the Engine on page 9‑16.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
The RKE transmitter may work up to
60 m (195 ft) away from the vehicle.
RKE without Remote Start Shown
Press the key release button to
extend the key blade. The key can
be used for the ignition and all
locks. Press
Kto unlock the driver door or
all doors.
Press
Qto lock all doors.
Lock and unlock feedback can be
personalized. See Vehicle
Personalization on page 5‑26.
Press
Vto release the trunk.
Press and release
7to initiate
vehicle locator.
Press and hold
7for at least
three seconds to sound the panic
alarm.
Press
7again to cancel the panic
alarm.
See Keys on page 2‑1 andRemote
Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 2‑3.
Remote Vehicle Start
For vehicles with this feature, the
engine can be started from outside
the vehicle.

Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd PrintReady - 10/18/12
1-6 In Brief
Liftgate
To lock or unlock the liftgate from
the inside, press
QorKon the
central locking switch located on the
center stack.
To open the liftgate from the
outside, press
Kon the
RKE transmitter, then use the
touch pad.
See Liftgate (Hatchback) on
page 2‑9.
Trunk Release
To lock or unlock the trunk from the
outside, press
QorKon the RKE
transmitter. See Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation on
page 2‑3.
To lock or unlock the trunk from the
inside, press
QorKon the central
locking switch located on the center
stack.
To open the trunk from outside of
the vehicle:
.PressKon the RKE transmitter,
then use the touch pad.
.PressVon the
RKE transmitter.
See Trunk (Sedan) on page 2‑8 and
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2‑3.
Windows
Manual Windows
Use the window crank to open and
close each window.
See Manual Windows on page 2‑15.

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd PrintReady - 10/11/12
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-1
Keys, Doors, and
Windows
Keys and Locks
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Doors
Trunk (Sedan) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Liftgate (Hatchback) . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Vehicle Security
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Vehicle Alarm System . . . . . . . 2-10
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
Blind Spot Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Interior Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror . . . . . . 2-15
Windows
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Manual Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Roof
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Keys and Locks
Keys
{WARNING
Leaving children in a vehicle with
a Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter is dangerous and
children or others could be
seriously injured or killed. They
could operate the power windows
or other controls or make the
vehicle move. The windows will
function with the RKE transmitter
in the vehicle, and children or
others could be caught in the path
of a closing window. Do not leave
children in a vehicle with an RKE
transmitter.

Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd PrintReady - 10/11/12
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation
The RKE transmitter may work up to
60 m (195 ft) away from the vehicle.
Other conditions can affect the
performance of the transmitter. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System on page 2‑2.
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
Locking, Unlocking, Starting” under
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑26.
If the driver door is open when
Qis
pressed, all doors lock except the
driver door, if Unlocked Door Anti
Lock Out is enabled through the
vehicle personalization. See
“Unlocked Door Anti Lock Out”
under Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑26. If the passenger door is
open when
Qis pressed, all
doors lock.
Pressing
Qmay also arm the
theft-deterrent system. See Vehicle
Alarm System on page 2‑10.
K(Unlock): Press to unlock the
driver door or all doors. See
“Remote Locking, Unlocking,
Starting” underVehicle
Personalization on page 5‑26. The
turn signal indicators flash to
indicate unlocking has occurred. For more information see
“Remote
Unlock Feedback” underVehicle
Personalization on page 5‑26.
Pressing
Kmay also disarm the
theft-deterrent system. See Vehicle
Alarm System on page 2‑10.
V(Remote Trunk Release): For
vehicles with this feature, press to
release the trunk.
7(Vehicle Locator/Panic
Alarm): Press and release one
time to initiate vehicle locator. The
exterior lamps flash and the horn
chirps three times. Press and hold
7for at least three seconds to
sound the panic alarm. The horn
sounds and the turn signals flash for
30 seconds 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 and
release
Qand then press and hold
/within five seconds to start the

Black plate (7,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd PrintReady - 10/11/12
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-7
.Use the lock knob on the top of
the door panel.
Central Locking System
This system allows for the doors
and liftgate/trunk to be locked and
unlocked from the RKE transmitter
or the central locking switch on the
center stack.
The system can be programed. See
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑26.
Door Ajar Reminder
If one of the doors, the trunk, or the
liftgate is not closed properly while
the ignition is on, the door ajar light
on the instrument panel comes on
and stays on until the doors are
closed.
Delayed Locking
PressingQon the central locking
switch or on the RKE transmitter
when this feature is on will delay the
locking of the doors until
five seconds after the last door is
closed. Three chimes will signal that
delayed locking is in use. See
Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑26.
Automatic Door Locks
The vehicle is programmed so that
when the doors are closed, the
ignition is on, and the shift lever is
moved out of P (Park) for automatic
transmissions, or when the vehicle
speed is above 13 km/h (8 mph) for
manual transmissions, the doors
and the trunk/liftgate will lock.
To unlock the doors and the trunk/
liftgate:
.PressKon the center stack.
.For vehicles with an automatic
transmission, shift the
transmission into P (Park).
.For vehicle with a manual
transmission, remove the key
from the ignition.
This feature can be programmed.
See Vehicle Personalization on
page 5‑26.
Safety Locks
The rear door safety locks prevent
passengers from opening the rear
doors from inside the vehicle.

Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd PrintReady - 10/11/12
2-8 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Press{to activate the safety locks
on the rear doors. An indicator light
comes on when activated.
Press
{again to deactivate the
safety locks.
Doors
Trunk (Sedan)
{WARNING
Exhaust gases can enter the
vehicle if it is driven with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch open, or with
any objects that pass through the
seal between the body and the
trunk/hatch or liftgate. Engine
exhaust contains carbon
monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle must be driven with
the liftgate or trunk/hatch open:
.Close all of the windows.
.Fully open the air outlets on
or under the instrument
panel.
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
.Adjust the climate control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air and
set the fan speed to the
highest setting. See “Climate
Control Systems” in the
Index.
.If the vehicle is equipped with
a power liftgate, disable the
power liftgate function.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9‑20.
To lock or unlock the trunk from the
outside, press
QorKon the RKE
transmitter. See Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation on
page 2‑3.
To lock or unlock the trunk from the
inside, press
QorKon the central
locking switch located on the center
stack.

Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd PrintReady - 10/11/12
Keys, Doors, and Windows 2-9
To open the trunk from outside of
the vehicle:
.PressKon the RKE transmitter,
then use the touch pad.
.PressVon the
RKE transmitter.
See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2‑3.
Emergency Trunk Release
Handle
Notice: Do not use the
emergency trunk release handle
as a tie-down or anchor point
when securing items in the trunk
as it could damage the handle.
The emergency trunk release
handle is only intended to aid a
person trapped in a latched trunk,
enabling them to open the trunk
from the inside.
There is a glow-in-the-dark
emergency trunk release handle on
the underside of the trunk lid. This
handle will glow following exposure
to light. Pull the release handle
down to open the trunk from the
inside.
Liftgate (Hatchback)
{WARNING
Exhaust gases can enter the
vehicle if it is driven with the
liftgate, trunk/hatch open, or with
any objects that pass through the
seal between the body and the
trunk/hatch or liftgate. Engine
exhaust contains carbon
monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle must be driven with
the liftgate or trunk/hatch open:
.Close all of the windows.
(Continued)