
Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081473) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 8/19/13
Lighting 6-3
To turn the DRL lamps off or on
again, turn the exterior lamp control
to
Oand then release. For vehicles
first sold in Canada, the DRL lamps
cannot be turned off.
Automatic Headlamp
System
When it is dark enough outside and
the exterior lamp control is in the
automatic position, the headlamps
come on automatically. See Exterior
Lamp Controls on page 6-1.
The vehicle has a light sensor on
top of the instrument panel. Make
sure it is not covered, or the
headlamps will be on when they are
not needed.
The system may also turn on the
headlamps when driving through a
parking garage or tunnel.
Lights On with Wipers
If the windshield wipers are
activated in daylight with the engine
on, and the exterior lamp control is
in AUTO, the headlamps, parking
lamps, and other exterior lamps
come on. The transition time for the
lamps coming on varies based on
wiper speed. When the wipers are
not operating, these lamps turn off.
Move the exterior lamp control to
P
or;to disable this feature.
Hazard Warning Flashers
|(Hazard Warning Flasher):
Press and momentarily hold this
button to make the front and rear
turn signal lamps flash on and off.
This warns others that you are
having trouble. Press and
momentarily hold again to turn the
flashers off.

Black plate (15,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081473) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 8/19/13
Driving and Operating 9-15
{Caution
Using a tool to force the key to
turn in the ignition could cause
damage to the switch or break the
key. Use the correct key, make
sure it is all the way in, and turn it
only with your hand. If the key
cannot be turned by hand, see
your dealer.
2 (ACC/ACCESSORY): This is the
position in which things like the
radio and the windshield wipers can
be operated when the engine is off.
3 (ON/RUN): This position can be
used to operate the electrical
accessories and to display some
instrument cluster warning and
indicator lights. This position can
also be used for service and
diagnostics, and to verify the proper
operation of the malfunction
indicator lamp as may be required
for emission inspection purposes.
The switch stays in this position
when the engine is running. If you leave the key in the ACC/
ACCESSORY or ON/RUN position
with the engine off, the battery could
be drained. You may not be able to
start the vehicle if the battery is
allowed to drain for an extended
period of time.
4 (START):
This is the position that
starts the engine. When the engine
starts, release the key. The ignition
switch returns to ON/RUN for
driving.
A warning tone will sound when the
driver door is opened, the ignition is
in ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/
OFF, and the key is in the ignition.
If the ignition becomes difficult to
turn, see Keys on page 2-1.
Starting the Engine
Automatic Transmission
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). The engine will not start
in any other position. To restart the
engine when the vehicle is already
moving, use N (Neutral) only.
{Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you
could damage the transmission.
Shift to P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped.
{Caution
If the steering wheel is turned
until it reaches the end of its
travel, and is held in that position
while starting the vehicle, damage
may occur to the hydraulic power
steering system and there may be
loss of power steering assist.
Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in Neutral
and the parking brake engaged.
Hold the clutch pedal to the floor
and start the engine. The vehicle
will not start if the clutch pedal is not
all the way down.

Black plate (76,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081473) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 8/19/13
10-76 Vehicle Care
2. Position the two vehicles so thatthey are not touching.
3. Set the parking brake firmly and put the shift lever in P (Park)
with an automatic transmission,
or Neutral with a manual
transmission. See Shifting Into
Park (Automatic Transmission)
on page 9-18 with an automatic
transmission, or Parking on
page 9-19 with a manual
transmission.
{Caution
If any accessories are left on or
plugged in during the jump
starting procedure, they could be
damaged. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Whenever possible, turn
off or unplug all accessories on
either vehicle when jump starting. 4. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
Turn off all lights and
accessories in both vehicles,
except the hazard warning
flashers if needed.
{Warning
An electric fan can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{Warning
Using a match near a battery can
cause battery gas to explode.
People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded.
Use a flashlight if you need more
light.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Be sure the battery has enough
water. You do not need to add
water to the battery installed in
your new vehicle. But if a battery
has filler caps, be sure the right
amount of fluid is there. If it is low,
add water to take care of that
first. If you do not, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
{Warning
Fans or other moving engine
parts can injure you badly. Keep
your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.

Black plate (5,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081473) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 8/19/13
INDEX i-5
FusesEngine Compartment
Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-33
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-38
G
Gasoline
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-39
Gauges Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Warning Lights and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
General Information Service and Maintenance . . . . . 11-1
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-5
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Hands-Free Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-42
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 6-3
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
HeadlampsAiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
Daytime RunningLamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) Indicator Light . . . . . . . . 5-21
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . 6-2
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Heated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Heater Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-17
Heating and Air Conditioning . . . 8-1
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Highway Hypnosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-6
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 9-6
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . 9-27 Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-4
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
I
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-14
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-26
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14 Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Infants and Young Children, Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-32
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8
Instrument Panel Storage Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

Black plate (6,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081473) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 8/19/13
i-6 INDEX
J
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-75
K
Keyless EntryRemote (RKE) System . . . . . . . . 2-3
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . 10-42
Lamps Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . . 6-2
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Headlamps, Front TurnSignal, and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-28
License Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-31 Lamps (cont'd)
Malfunction Indicator . . . . . . . . . 5-12
On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-36
Lane Departure Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
LATCH System
Replacing Parts after aCrash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-43
LATCH, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . 3-37
Liftgate Carbon Monoxide . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Lighting Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Lights Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Antilock Brake System(ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Brake System Warning . . . . . . . 5-15
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21 Lights (cont'd)
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning . . . . . . . 5-18
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
Front Fog Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
High-Beam On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . . 6-2
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Lane Departure Warning . . . . . . 5-17
Low Fuel Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Reduced Engine Power . . . . . . 5-20
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . 5-10
Service Vehicle Soon . . . . . . . . . 5-15
StabiliTrak
®OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Traction Control System (TCS)/StabiliTrak
®. . . . . . . . . . 5-18
Traction Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Up-Shift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Warning, Power Steering . . . . . 5-16
Link
Smartphone . . . . . . 7-45, 7-47, 7-49
Load Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

Black plate (8,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081473) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 8/19/13
i-8 INDEX
OutletsPower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Overheating, Engine . . . . . . . . . . 10-20
Overview, Infotainment
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3, 7-5, 7-7
P
ParkShifting Into . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18
Shifting Out of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-19
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-19 Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-26
Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . 10-26
Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . 9-20
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
Passenger Compartment Air Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
Passenger Sensing System . . . 3-24
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California . . . . . 10-3
Personalization Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27 Phone
Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . 7-26, 7-28, 7-37
Hands-Free . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-42
Pictures and Movies . . . . . . . . . . . 7-50, 7-55, 7-56
Port USB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-21
Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Reduced Engine Light . . . . . . . . 5-20
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . 9-17
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
Power Steering Warning Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Pregnancy, Using Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15
Privacy Radio FrequencyIdentification (RFID) . . . . . . . 13-15
Program Courtesy Transportation . . . . . . 13-7
Proposition 65 Warning, California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2
R
Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) . . . . . . . . 13-15
Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-15
Radios AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12
Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-17
Satellite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-16
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . 9-34
Rear Window Washer/Wiper . . . . 5-4
Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-12
Records Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-15
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-78
Reduced Engine Power Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Reimbursement Program,
GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-5

Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081473) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 8/19/13
i-10 INDEX
Shift Lock Control FunctionCheck, Automatic
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-18
Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-19
Signals, Turn and
Lane-Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Smartphone Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-45, 7-47, 7-49
Spare Tire
Compact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-74
Specifications and Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
Start Assist, Hills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-27
Start Vehicle, Remote . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 10-25
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . 1-4, 9-15
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3 Steering (cont'd)
Power, Warning Lights . . . . . . . . 5-16
Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Storage Load Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Storage Areas
Cargo Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storing the Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit . . . . . . . . . 10-69
Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-8
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
System Forward CollisionAlert (FCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-32
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1T
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Taillamps
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
Text Telephone (TTY) Users . . . 13-4
Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . 2-14 Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
Tires Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . 10-55
Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-60
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-69
Compact Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-74
Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-44
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-56
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . 10-60
Inflation Monitor System . . . . 10-50
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-53
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-19
Pressure Monitor System . . . 10-49
Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-53
Sealant andCompressor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . 10-62
Sealant and Compressor
Kit, Storing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-69

Black plate (11,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081473) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 8/19/13
INDEX i-11
Tires (cont'd)Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . 10-42
Terminology and
Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-45
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-57
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-58
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . 10-59
When It Is Time for New
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-54
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-41
Towing General Information . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . . 10-78
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-77
Traction Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak
®Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-18
Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-28
Transmission
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-21
Fluid, Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13
Fluid, Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-13 Transportation Program,
Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-7
Trip Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Turn Signal Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 10-30
U
Uniform Tire QualityGrading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-57
Up-Shift Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
USB Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-21
Using This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
V
Vehicle Alarm System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Canadian Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3
Identification
Number (VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1
Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-9
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24 Vehicle (cont'd)
Personalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27
Remote Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Service Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-77
Vehicle Care Storing the Tire Sealantand Compressor Kit . . . . . . . 10-69
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-47
Ventilation, Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-19
W
Warning Brake System Light . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15
Lane Departure (LDW) . . . . . . . 9-36
Warning Light Forward CollisionAlert (FCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii Cautions and Danger . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
Hazard Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-21