
Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081473) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 8/19/13
2014 Chevrolet Sonic Owner ManualM
In Brief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . 1-4
Vehicle Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-15
Performance and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-20
Keys, Doors, and Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Keys and Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
Exterior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Interior Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-20
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17
Child Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30 Storage
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-1
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . 4-1
Luggage/Load Locations . . . . . . . 4-2
Additional Storage Features . . . 4-2
Instruments and Controls . . . . 5-1
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7
Information Displays . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Trip Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 5-27
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Lighting Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-1
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-12
Audio Players . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-19
Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-26 Downloadable Applications . . . 7-45
Bluetooth Phone/Devices . . . . . 7-50
Trademarks and License
Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-58
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-1
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . 8-1
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . 9-1
Driving Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2
Starting and Operating . . . . . . . 9-13
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-20
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 9-21
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . . 9-24
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-25
Ride Control Systems . . . . . . . . 9-28
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-30
Driver Assistance Systems . . . 9-32
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-38
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-42
Conversions and Add-Ons . . . 9-42

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081473) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 8/19/13
iv Introduction
{Warning
Text marked{Warning provides
information on risk of accident or
injury. Disregarding this
information may lead to injury.
{Caution
Text marked{Caution provides
information that may indicate a
hazard that could result in injury
or death. It could also result in
possible damage to the vehicle.
A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means “Do
Not,” “Do not do this,” or“Do not let
this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gauge, or indicator.
M: This symbol is shown when
you need to see your owner manual
for additional instructions or
information.
*: This symbol is shown when
you need to see a service manual
for additional instructions or
information. Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the Index.
9:
Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
%:Audio Steering Wheel Controls
or OnStar®
$: Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B: Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.: Fuel Gauge
+:Fuses
3: Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer

Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081473) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 8/19/13
In Brief 1-9
To return the seatback to the upright
position:
1. Lift the lever fully withoutapplying pressure to the
seatback, and the seatback will
return to the upright position.
2. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked.
See Reclining Seatbacks on
page 3-4.
Second Row Seats
The rear seatbacks can be folded
down to increase cargo space.
See Rear Seats on page 3-7.
Head Restraint
Adjustment
Do not drive until the head restraints
for all occupants are installed and
adjusted properly.
To achieve a comfortable seating
position, change the seatback
recline angle as little as necessary while keeping the seat and the head
restraint height in the proper
position.
See
Head Restraints on page 3-2
and Seat Adjustment on page 3-3.
Safety Belts
Refer to the following sections for
important information on how to use
safety belts properly:
.Safety Belts on page 3-8.
.How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly on page 3-10.
.Lap-Shoulder Belt on page 3-11.
.Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children (LATCH System) on
page 3-37.
Passenger Sensing
System
United States
Canada
The passenger sensing system
turns off the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag and knee
airbag (if equipped) under certain
conditions. No other airbag is

Black plate (10,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081473) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 8/19/13
1-10 In Brief
affected by the passenger sensing
system. SeePassenger Sensing
System on page 3-24 for important
information.
The passenger airbag status
indicator will be visible on the
instrument panel when the vehicle is
started. See Passenger Airbag
Status Indicator on page 5-11.
Mirror Adjustment
Exterior Mirrors
Manual Outside Mirrors
Move the control up, down, or side
to side to adjust the mirror.
See Manual Mirrors on page 2-15.
Power Outside Mirrors
For vehicles with power outside
mirrors:
1. Select the mirror by moving the selector switch to L for the driver
side or R for the passenger side.
2. Use the control knob to move the mirror in the desired
direction.
See Power Mirrors on page 2-15.
Interior Mirror
Hold the inside rearview mirror in
the center to move it for a clearer
view behind your vehicle. Adjust the
mirror to avoid glare from the
headlamps behind you. Push the
tab forward for daytime use and pull
it for nighttime use.
SeeManual Rearview Mirror on
page 2-17.
Steering Wheel
Adjustment

Black plate (1,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081473) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 8/19/13
Seats and Restraints 3-1
Seats and
Restraints
Head Restraints
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Front Seats
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Front Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
Heated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Rear Seats
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Safety Belts
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-15 Safety Belt Extender . . . . . . . . . 3-15
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . 3-16
Safety Belt Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-16
Replacing Safety Belt System
Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-16
Airbag System
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-17
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . 3-19
When Should an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22
How Does an Airbag Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22
What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-24
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-28 Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . 3-28
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . 3-29
Replacing Airbag System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-29
Child Restraints
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30
Infants and Young
Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-32
Child Restraint Systems . . . . . 3-34
Where to Put the Restraint . . . 3-36
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-37
Replacing LATCH System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . 3-43
Securing Child Restraints (Rear Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-44
Securing Child Restraints (Right Front
Passenger Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . 3-46

Black plate (9,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081473) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 8/19/13
Seats and Restraints 3-9
Warning (Continued)
are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed. Do not allow
passengers to ride in any area of
the vehicle that is not equipped
with seats and safety belts.
Always wear a safety belt, and
check that all passenger(s) are
restrained properly too.
This vehicle has indicators as a
reminder to buckle the safety belts.
See Safety Belt Reminders on
page 5-10.
Why Safety Belts Work
When riding in a vehicle, you travel
as fast as the vehicle does. If the
vehicle stops suddenly, you keep
going until something stops you.
It could be the windshield, the
instrument panel, or the safety belts!
When you wear a safety belt, you
and the vehicle slow down together.
There is more time to stop because
you stop over a longer distance and,
when worn properly, your strongest
bones take the forces from the safety belts. That is why wearing
safety belts makes such good
sense.
Questions and Answers About
Safety Belts
Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle
after a crash if I am wearing a
safety belt?
A: You could be—whether you are
wearing a safety belt or not.
Your chance of being conscious
during and after a crash, so you
can unbuckle and get out, is
much greater if you are belted.
Q: If my vehicle has airbags, why should I have to wear safety
belts?
A: Airbags are supplemental
systems only; so they work with
safety belts —not instead of
them. Whether or not an airbag
is provided, all occupants still
have to buckle up to get the
most protection.

Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081473) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 8/19/13
Seats and Restraints 3-13
After the adjuster is set to the
desired position, try to move it down
without pressing the release button
to make sure it has locked into
position.
Safety Belt Pretensioners
This vehicle has safety belt
pretensioners for front outboard
occupants. Although the safety belt
pretensioners cannot be seen, they
are part of the safety belt assembly.
They can help tighten the safety
belts during the early stages of a
moderate to severe frontal, near
frontal, or rear crash if the threshold
conditions for pretensioner
activation are met. And, if the
vehicle has side-impact airbags,
safety belt pretensioners can help
tighten the safety belts in a side
crash or a rollover event.
Pretensioners work only once. If the
pretensioners activate in a crash,
the pretensioners and probably
other new parts of the vehicle's
safety belt system will need to bereplaced. See
Replacing Safety Belt
System Parts after a Crash on
page 3-16.
Rear Safety Belt Comfort
Guides
Rear safety belt comfort guides may
provide added safety belt comfort
for older children who have
outgrown booster seats and for
some adults. When installed on a
shoulder belt, the comfort guide
positions the shoulder belt away
from the neck and head.
Safety belt comfort guides are
available through your dealer.
To install the adjustable comfort
guide to the seatback and the
safety belt:
1. Locate the anchor loop on the
rear outboard seatback, near
the top.
2. Attach the adjustable comfort guide to the anchor loop by
threading the hook through
the loop.

Black plate (17,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081473) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 8/19/13
Seats and Restraints 3-17
New parts and repairs may be
necessary even if the safety belt
system was not being used at the
time of the crash.
Have the safety belt pretensioners,
if equipped, checked if the vehicle
has been in a crash, or if the airbag
readiness light stays on after you
start the vehicle or while you are
driving. SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 5-11.Airbag System
The vehicle has the following
airbags except where noted below:
.A frontal airbag for the driver.
.A frontal airbag for the front
outboard passenger.
.A knee airbag for the driver.
.A knee airbag for the front
outboard passenger.
.A seat-mounted side impact
airbag for the driver.
.A seat-mounted side impact
airbag for the front outboard
passenger.
.Seat-mounted side impact
airbags for the second row
outboard passengers.
.A roof-rail airbag for the driver
and the passenger seated
directly behind the driver.
.A roof-rail airbag for the front
outboard passenger and the
passenger seated directly
behind the front outboard
passenger.
The vehicle may have the following
airbags on models sold in Canada:
.A knee airbag for the driver.
.A knee airbag for the front
outboard passenger.
.Seat-mounted side impact
airbags for the second row
outboard passengers.
All vehicle airbags have the word
AIRBAG on the trim or on a label
near the deployment opening.
For frontal airbags, the word
AIRBAG is on the center of the
steering wheel for the driver and on
the instrument panel for the front
outboard passenger.
For knee airbags, the word AIRBAG
is on the lower part of the
instrument panel.