2013 CHEVROLET SONIC run flat

Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd PrintReady - 10/11/12
5-12 Instruments and Controls
If the word ON or the on symbol is
lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the front
outboard passenger frontal airbag
and knee airbag are allowed to
inflate.
If the word OFF or the off symbol is
lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the
passenger sensing system has
turned off the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag and knee
airbag.
If, after several seconds, both status
indicator lights remain on, or if there
are no lights at all, there may be a
problem with the lights or the
passenger sensing system. See
your dealer for service.
{WARNING
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
avoid injury to yourself or others,
have the vehicle serviced right
away. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 5‑11 for more
information, including important
safety information.
Charging System Light
This light will come on briefly when
the ignition is turned on, and the
engine is not running, as a check to
show it is working.
It should go out when the engine is
started. If it stays on, or comes on
while driving, there may be a
problem with the electrical charging
system. Have it checked by your dealer. Driving while this light is on
could drain the battery. If a short
distance must be driven with the
light on, turn off all accessories,
such as the radio and air
conditioner, to help reduce the drain
on the battery.
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
A computer system called OBD II
(On-Board Diagnostics-Second
Generation) monitors the operation
of the vehicle to ensure emissions
are at acceptable levels, helping to
maintain a clean environment. The
malfunction indicator lamp comes
on when the vehicle is placed in
ON/RUN, as a check to show it is
working. If it does not, have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer. See
Ignition Positions on page 9‑14
for
more information.

Black plate (61,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd PrintReady - 10/11/12
Vehicle Care 10-61
and compressor kit, seeTire
Sealant and Compressor Kit on
page 10‑61.
When the vehicle has a flat tire (2),
use the following example as a
guide to assist you in the placement
of wheel blocks (1).
1. Wheel Block
2. Flat Tire
The following information explains
how to repair or change a tire.
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit
{WARNING
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed
area with poor ventilation is
dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust
contains carbon monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness
and even death. Never run the
engine in an enclosed area that
has no fresh air ventilation. For
more information, see Engine
Exhaust on page 9‑20.
{WARNING
Overinflating a tire could cause
the tire to rupture and you or
others could be injured. Be sure
to read and follow the tire sealant
(Continued)
WARNING (Continued)
and compressor kit instructions
and inflate the tire to its
recommended pressure. Do not
exceed the recommended
pressure.
{WARNING
Storing the tire sealant and
compressor kit or other
equipment in the passenger
compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or
collision, loose equipment could
strike someone. Store the tire
sealant and compressor kit in its
original location.
If this vehicle has a tire sealant and
compressor kit, there may not be a
spare tire or tire changing

Black plate (64,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd PrintReady - 10/11/12
10-64 Vehicle Care
7. Attach the sealant/air hose (2) tothe tire valve stem by turning it
clockwise until tight.
8. Plug the power plug (9) into the accessory power outlet in the
vehicle. Unplug all items from
other accessory power outlets.
See Power Outlets on page 5‑6.
If the vehicle has an accessory
power outlet, do not use the
cigarette lighter.
If the vehicle only has a cigarette
lighter, use the cigarette lighter. Do not pinch the power plug
cord in the door or window.
9. Start the vehicle. The vehicle must be running while using the
air compressor.
10. Press the on/off button (5) to turn the tire sealant and
compressor kit on.
The compressor will inject
sealant and air into the tire.
The pressure gauge (8) will
initially show a high pressure
while the compressor pushes
the sealant into the tire. Once
the sealant is completely
dispersed into the tire, the
pressure will quickly drop and
start to rise again as the tire
inflates with air only.
11. Inflate the tire to the recommended inflation
pressure using the pressure
gauge (8). The recommended
inflation pressure can be found on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See
Tire
Pressure on page 10‑47.
The pressure gauge (8) may
read higher than the actual tire
pressure while the compressor
is on. Turn the compressor off
to get an accurate pressure
reading. The compressor may
be turned on/off until the
correct pressure is reached.
Notice: If the recommended
pressure cannot be reached after
approximately 25 minutes, the
vehicle should not be driven
farther. The tire is too severely
damaged and the tire sealant and
compressor kit cannot inflate the
tire. Remove the power plug from
the accessory power outlet and
unscrew the inflating hose from
the tire valve. See Roadside
Assistance Program on
page 13‑5.

Black plate (67,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd PrintReady - 10/11/12
Vehicle Care 10-67
1. Remove the compressor from itsstorage location. See Storing the
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit
on page 10‑68.
2. Remove the air only hose (10) and the power plug (9) from the
bottom of the compressor.
3. Place the compressor on the ground near the flat tire.
Make sure the tire valve stem is
positioned close to the ground
so the hose will reach it.
4. Remove the valve stem cap from the flat tire by turning it
counterclockwise.
5. Attach the air only hose (10) to the tire valve stem by turning it
clockwise until tight.
6. Plug the power plug (9) into the accessory power outlet in the
vehicle. Unplug all items from
other accessory power outlets.
See Power Outlets on page 5‑6.
If the vehicle has an accessory
power outlet, do not use the
cigarette lighter. If the vehicle only has a cigarette
lighter, use the cigarette lighter.
Do not pinch the power plug
cord in the door or window.
7. Start the vehicle. The vehicle must be running while using the
air compressor.
8. Press the on/off button (5) to turn the tire sealant and
compressor kit on.
The compressor will inflate the
tire with air only.
9. Inflate the tire to the recommended inflation pressure
using the pressure gauge (8).
The recommended inflation
pressure can be found on the
Tire and Loading Information
label. See Tire Pressure on
page 10‑47.
The pressure gauge (8) may
read higher than the actual tire
pressure while the compressor is
on. Turn the compressor off to
get an accurate pressure reading. The compressor may
be turned on/off until the correct
pressure is reached.
Notice: If the recommended
pressure cannot be reached after
approximately 25 minutes, the
vehicle should not be driven
farther. The tire is too severely
damaged and the tire sealant and
compressor kit cannot inflate the
tire. Remove the power plug from
the accessory power outlet and
unscrew the inflating hose from
the tire valve. See Roadside
Assistance Program on
page 13‑5.
10. Press the on/off button (5) to turn the tire sealant and
compressor kit off.
Be careful while handling the
compressor as it could be
warm after usage.
11. Unplug the power plug (9) from the accessory power outlet in
the vehicle.

Black plate (69,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd PrintReady - 10/11/12
Vehicle Care 10-69
To access the spare tire and tools:
1. Open the trunk or liftgate. SeeTrunk (Sedan) on page 2‑8 or
Liftgate (Hatchback) on
page 2‑9.
2. Lift the trim cover.
3. Turn the retainer counterclockwise and remove it
from the compact spare.
4. Remove the compact spare tire. See Compact Spare Tire on
page 10‑73 for more information. 5. Remove the jack and tools from
their container and place them
near the tire being changed.
Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire
1. Do a safety check before
proceeding. See If a Tire Goes
Flat on page 10‑59.
2. Remove the wheel cover, if the vehicle has one, to reach the
wheel bolts.
3. Turn the wheel nutscounterclockwise to loosen
them. Do not remove them yet.

Black plate (72,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd PrintReady - 10/11/12
10-72 Vehicle Care
14. Tighten the wheel nuts firmly ina crisscross sequence, as
shown.
Notice: Wheel covers will not fit
on the vehicle's compact spare.
If you try to put a wheel cover on
the compact spare, the cover or
the spare could be damaged.
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire
and Tools
{WARNING
Storing a jack, a tire, or other
equipment in the passenger
compartment of the vehicle could
cause injury. In a sudden stop or
collision, loose equipment could
strike someone. Store all these in
the proper place.
Storing the Flat Tire and Tools
1. Return the jack and tools to their original storage location.
2. Replace the trim cover.
3. Place the flat tire, lying flat, in the rear storage compartment.
If the vehicle is a sedan the flat
tire should be against the back
of the rear seats.
If the vehicle is a hatchback the
flat tire should be against the
back of the trunk.
4. Attach one end of the strap to acargo tie-down in the rear of the
vehicle.

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual - 2013 - 2nd PrintReady - 10/11/12
i-4 INDEX
E
Electrical Equipment,Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Electrical System Engine CompartmentFuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32
Emergency OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-2
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Check and Service EngineSoon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 10-6
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-16
Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-15
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-3
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-17
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11 Engine (cont'd)
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-19
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Reduced Power Light . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 9-21
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4, 9-16
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . 13-14
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . 3-15
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 6-1
F
Filter, Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 6-3
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-59 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-68
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-86
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . 10-13
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-22
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Fog Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . 10-29, 6-4
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13 Front Fog Lamp
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Front Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-35
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-19
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-37
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-34
Gasoline Specifications . . . . . . . 9-34
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 5-19
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-33
Requirements, California . . . . . 9-34
Fuses Engine CompartmentFuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-32
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-37