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 (3,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081473) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 8/19/13
In Brief 1-3
1.Air Vents on page 8-4.
2. Exterior Lamp Controls on
page 6-1.
3. Instrument Panel Illumination
Control on page 6-5.
4. Turn Signal Lever. See Turn and
Lane-Change Signals on
page 6-4.
5. Instrument Cluster on page 5-8.
6. Horn on page 5-3.
7. Windshield Wiper/Washer on
page 5-3.
8. Display Screen.
9. Infotainment on page 7-1.
10. Instrument Panel Storage on
page 4-1.
USB Port on page 7-21 (Inside
IP Storage) (If Equipped).
Auxiliary Devices on page 7-24
(Inside IP Storage) (If
Equipped). 11. Hood Release. See
Hood on
page 10-4.
12. Data Link Connector (DLC) (Out of View). See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 5-12.
13. Cruise Control on page 9-30.
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System on page 9-32 (If
Equipped.
Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) on page 9-36 (If
Equipped).
14. Steering Wheel Adjustment on
page 5-2.
15. Steering Wheel Controls on
page 5-2.
16. Ignition Switch. See Ignition
Positions on page 9-14.
17. Central Locking System on
page 2-8.
18. Climate Control Systems on
page 8-1. 19.
Power Outlets on page 5-6.
20. Trunk Release. See Trunk
(Sedan) on page 2-10.
21. Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control on page 9-28.
22. Shift Lever. See Automatic
Transmission on page 9-21 (If
Equipped) or Manual
Transmission on page 9-24 (If
Equipped).
23. Hazard Warning Flashers on
page 6-3.
24. Passenger Sensing System on
page 3-24.
Black plate (18,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081473) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 8/19/13
1-18 In Brief
SET/−:Move the thumbwheel down
briefly to set the speed and activate
cruise control. If cruise control is
already active, use to decrease
speed.
n: Press to disengage cruise
control without erasing the set
speed from memory.
See Cruise Control on page 9-30.
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
The DIC display is in the instrument
cluster. It shows the status of many
vehicle systems. The controls for
the DIC are on the turn signal lever.
1.SET/CLR: Press to set or clear
the menu item displayed. 2.
w x:
Turn the band to scroll
through the menu items.
3. MENU: Press to display the DIC
menus. This button is also used
to return to or exit the last
screen displayed on the DIC.
See Driver Information Center (DIC)
on page 5-22.
Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) System
For vehicles with FCA, this system
is intended to help avoid or reduce
the harm caused by front-end
crashes. FCA provides a flashing
visual alert and beeps when
approaching a vehicle directly
ahead too quickly. FCA also
provides a visual alert if following
another vehicle much too closely.
The forward-looking FCA camera
sensor is on the windshield ahead
of the rearview mirror. FCA detects
vehicles within a distance of approximately 60 m (197 ft) and
operates at speeds above 40 km/h
(25 mph).
See
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System on page 9-32.
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW)
If equipped, LDW is intended to help
avoid unintentional lane departures
at speeds of 56 km/h (35 mph) or
greater. LDW uses a camera sensor
to detect the lane markings. The
LDW indicator,
@, appears green if
a lane marking is detected. If the
vehicle departs the lane, the
indicator will change to amber and
flash. In addition, beeps will sound.
See Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
on page 9-36.
Black plate (20,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081473) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 8/19/13
1-20 In Brief
Performance and
Maintenance
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
The Traction Control System (TCS)
limits wheel spin. The system is on
when the vehicle is started.
The StabiliTrak system assists with
directional control of the vehicle in
difficult driving conditions. The
system is on when the vehicle is
started.
.To turn off traction control, press
and release the TCS/StabiliTrak
button
gon the center console.
The traction off light
i
illuminates.
.Press and release the TCS/
StabiliTrak button
gagain to
turn traction control back on.
.To turn off both traction control
and StabiliTrak, press and hold
the TCS/StabiliTrak button
g
until the traction off lightiand
the StabiliTrak OFF light
g
illuminate.
.Press the TCS/StabiliTrak buttongagain to turn on both systems.
See Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control on page 9-28.
Tire Pressure Monitor
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The low tire pressure warning light
alerts to a significant loss in
pressure of one of the vehicle's
tires. If the warning light comes on,
stop as soon as possible and inflate the tires to the recommended
pressure shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See
Vehicle Load Limits on page 9-9.
The warning light will remain on until
the tire pressure is corrected.
The low tire pressure warning light
may come on in cool weather when
the vehicle is first started, and then
turn off as the vehicle is driven. This
may be an early indicator that the
tire pressures are getting low and
the tires need to be inflated to the
proper pressure.
The TPMS does not replace normal
monthly tire maintenance. Maintain
the correct tire pressures.
See
Tire Pressure Monitor System
on page 10-49.
Engine Oil Life System
The engine oil life system calculates
engine oil life based on vehicle use
and displays the
:% CHANGE
Black plate (28,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081473) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 8/19/13
3-28 Seats and Restraints
{Warning
Stowing of articles under the
passenger seat or between the
passenger seat cushion and
seatback may interfere with the
proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.
Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle
should be serviced. There are parts
of the airbag system in several
places around the vehicle. Your
dealer and the service manual have
information about servicing the
vehicle and the airbag system. To
purchase a service manual, see
Service Publications Ordering
Information on page 13-11.
{Warning
For up to 10 seconds after the
vehicle is turned off and the
battery is disconnected, an airbag
can still inflate during improper
service. You can be injured if you
are close to an airbag when it
inflates. Avoid yellow connectors.
They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and
make sure the person performing
work for you is qualified to do so.
Adding Equipment to the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Adding accessories that change the
vehicle's frame, bumper system,
height, front end, or side sheet
metal may keep the airbag system
from working properly. The
operation of the airbag system can
also be affected by changing any
parts of the front seats, safety belts,
the airbag sensing and diagnosticmodule, steering wheel, instrument
panel, any of the airbag modules,
ceiling or pillar garnish trim, front
sensors, side impact sensors,
or airbag wiring.
Your dealer and the service manual
have information about the location
of the airbag sensors, sensing and
diagnostic module, and airbag
wiring.
In addition, the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system for the
front outboard passenger position,
which includes sensors that are part
of the passenger seat. The
passenger sensing system may not
operate properly if the original seat
trim is replaced with non-GM
covers, upholstery, or trim; or with
GM covers, upholstery, or trim
designed for a different vehicle. Any
object, such as an aftermarket seat
heater or a comfort-enhancing pad
or device, installed under or on top
of the seat fabric, could also
interfere with the operation of the
passenger sensing system. This
could either prevent proper
Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081473) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 8/19/13
5-14 Instruments and Controls
follow the previous steps and see
your dealer for service as soon as
possible.
Light On Steady:An emission
control system malfunction has
been detected on the vehicle.
Diagnosis and service might be
required.
The following may correct an
emission control system
malfunction:
.Check that the fuel cap is fully
installed. See Filling the Tank on
page 9-40. The diagnostic
system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap allows fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap
properly installed should turn the
light off.
.Check that good quality fuel is
used. Poor fuel quality causes
the engine not to run as
efficiently as designed and may
cause stalling after start-up, stalling when the vehicle is
changed into gear, misfiring,
hesitation on acceleration,
or stumbling on acceleration.
These conditions might go away
once the engine is warmed up.
If one or more of these conditions
occurs, change the fuel brand used.
It may require at least one full tank
of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
See Recommended Fuel on
page 9-38.
If none of the above have made the
light turn off, your dealer can check
the vehicle. The dealer has the
proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to fix any
mechanical or electrical problems
that might have developed.
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Depending on where you live, your
vehicle may be required to
participate in an emission control
system inspection and maintenance
program. For the inspection, the emission system test equipment will
likely connect to the vehicle's Data
Link Connector (DLC).
The DLC is under the instrument
panel to the left of the steering
wheel. See your dealer if assistance
is needed.
The vehicle may not pass
inspection if:
.The malfunction indicator lamp is
on with the engine running, or if
the light does not come on when
the ignition is turned to ON/RUN
while the engine is off. See your
dealer for assistance in verifying
proper operation of the
malfunction indicator lamp.
.The OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics) system determines
that critical emission control
Black plate (16,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081473) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 8/19/13
7-16 Infotainment System
Storing Stations
To store the station to a position in
the list, press the corresponding
button 1−5 until a beep is heard.
1. Select the desired station.
2. Press
SorTto select the
desired page of saved favorites.
3. Hold down any of the preset buttons to save the current radio
station to that button of the
selected favorites page.
To change a preset button, tune to
the new desired radio station and
hold the button.
Satellite Radio
SiriusXM®Satelite Radio
Service
SiriusXM is a satellite radio service
based in the 48 contiguous United
States and 10 Canadian provinces.
SiriusXM Satellite Radio has a wide
variety of programming and
commercial-free music, coast to
coast, and in digital-quality sound.
A service fee is required to receive
the SiriusXM service. For more
information, contact SiriusXM at
www.siriusxm.com or
1-866-635-2349 (U.S.), and
www.xmradio.ca or 1-877-209-0079
(Canada).
Finding a Channel
RADIO/BAND: Press to choose
XM. The display will show the
selection.
SEEK
¨: Press to seek the next
XM channel.
©SEEK: Press to seek the
previous XM channel. MENU/TUNE:
Turn to go to the
next XM channel.
Storing an SiriusXM Channel
Drivers are encouraged to set up
XM channel favorites while the
vehicle is not moving. Tune to
favorite stations using the
pushbuttons, favorites button, and
steering wheel controls. See
Defensive Driving on page 9-2.
A maximum of 36 stations can be
programmed as favorites using the
six pushbuttons positioned below
the radio station frequency labels
and by using the radio favorites
page button (FAV button). Press the
FAV button to go through up to six
pages of favorites, each having six
favorite stations available per page.
Each page of favorites can contain
any combination of AM, FM, or XM
channels. To store an XM channel
as a favorite:
1. Tune in the desired channel.
Black plate (37,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-6081473) -
2014 - 2nd Edition - 8/19/13
Infotainment System 7-37
.Sounds may be cut off during
the Bluetooth music playback.
.The infotainment system outputs
the audio from the cell phone or
Bluetooth device as it is
transmitted.
Bluetooth (Voice
Recognition)
Using Voice Recognition
To use voice recognition, press theb/gbutton located on the steering
wheel. Use the commands below for
the various voice features. For
additional information, say "Help"
while you are in a voice
recognition menu.
Pairing
A Bluetooth-enabled cell phone
must be paired to the Bluetooth
system and then connected to the
vehicle before it can be used. See
your cell phone manufacturer's user
guide for Bluetooth functions before
pairing the cell phone. If a Bluetooth
phone is not connected, calls will be made using OnStar Hands-Free
Calling, if available. See
OnStar
Overview on page 14-1.
Pairing Information
.A Bluetooth phone with MP3
capability can be paired to the
vehicle as a phone and an MP3
player at the same time.
.Up to five cell phones can be
paired to the Bluetooth system.
.The pairing process is disabled
when the vehicle is moving.
.Pairing only needs to be
completed once, unless the
pairing information on the cell
phone changes or the cell phone
is deleted from the system.
.Only one paired cell phone can
be connected to the Bluetooth
system at a time.
.If multiple paired cell phones are
within range of the system, the
system connects to the first
available paired cell phone in the
order that they were first paired to the system. To link to a
different paired phone, see
“Connecting to a Different
Phone”
later in this section.
Pairing a Phone
1. Press
b/g. The system
responds “Ready,”followed by
a tone.
2. Say “Bluetooth.” This command
can be skipped.
3. Say “Pair.”The system responds
with instructions and a four-digit
Personal Identification Number
(PIN). The PIN is used in Step 5.
4. Start the pairing process on the cell phone that you want to pair.
For help with this process, see
your cell phone manufacturer's
user guide.
5. Locate the device named “Your
Vehicle” in the list on the cell
phone. Follow the instructions
on the cell phone to enter the
PIN provided in Step 3. After the
PIN is successfully entered, the
system prompts you to provide a