2015 CHEVROLET SONIC maintenance

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707487) -
2015 - crc - 10/31/14
10-4 Vehicle Care
This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your own
service work, seeServicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 3-28.
Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of
any service work performed. See
Maintenance Records on
page 11-15.
{Caution
Even small amounts of
contamination can cause damage
to vehicle systems. Do not allow
contaminants to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Hood
To open the hood:
1. Pull the hood release handle inside the vehicle. It is located
on the lower left side of the
instrument panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicle andmove the secondary hood
release lever toward the right
side of the vehicle.

Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707487) -
2015 - crc - 10/31/14
Vehicle Care 10-13
Be careful not to reset the oil life
display accidentally at any time
other than after the oil is changed.
It cannot be reset accurately.
If the
:% CHANGE message in
the DIC comes back on when the
vehicle is started, the engine oil life
system has not reset. Repeat the
procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to your
dealer and have it repaired as soon
as possible.
There is a special procedure for
checking and changing the
transmission fluid. Because this
procedure is difficult, you should
have this done at your dealer.
Change the fluid at the intervals
listed in Maintenance Schedule on
page 11-2, and be sure to use the
fluid listed in Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 11-12.
Manual Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
manual transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only
reason for fluid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to your
dealer and have it repaired as soon
as possible. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 11-12
for the proper fluid to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
For vehicles with a manual
transmission, it is not necessary to
regularly check brake/clutch fluid
unless there is a leak suspected.
Adding fluid will not correct a leak.
A fluid loss in this system could
indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.
When to Check and What
to Use
The common hydraulic clutch and
brake master cylinder fluid reservoir
is filled with DOT 3 brake fluid as

Black plate (14,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707487) -
2015 - crc - 10/31/14
10-14 Vehicle Care
indicated on the reservoir cap. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 10-6for reservoir location.
How to Check and Add Fluid
Visually check the brake/clutch fluid
reservoir to make sure the fluid level
is at the MIN (minimum) line on the
side of the reservoir. The brake/
hydraulic clutch fluid system should
be closed and sealed.
Do not remove the cap to check the
fluid level or to top‐off the fluid level.
Remove the cap only when
necessary to add the proper fluid
until the level reaches the MIN line.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
The engine air cleaner/filter is
located in the engine compartment
on the passenger side of the
vehicle. See Engine Compartment
Overview on page 10-6 for more
information on location.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/filter at the
scheduled maintenance intervals.
See Maintenance Schedule on
page 11-2. If you are driving in
dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the
filter at each engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the engine air cleaner/
filter, remove the filter from the
vehicle and lightly shake the filter to
release loose dust and dirt. If the
filter remains covered with dirt, a
new filter is required. To inspect or replace the air cleaner/
filter:
1.4L L4 Engine

Black plate (15,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707487) -
2015 - crc - 10/31/14
Vehicle Care 10-15
1.8L L4 Engine
1. Remove the two screws, tilt the cover, and slide it out of the
assembly.
2. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/filter.
3. Lower the cover, slide it into the assembly, then secure with the
two screws.
See Maintenance Schedule on
page 11-2 for replacement intervals.
{Warning
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/filter off can cause you or
others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air; it
helps to stop flames if the engine
backfires. Use caution when
working on the engine and do not
drive with the air cleaner/filter off.
{Caution
If the air cleaner/filter is off, dirt
can easily get into the engine,
which could damage it. Always
have the air cleaner/filter in place
when you are driving.
Cooling System
The cooling system allows the
engine to maintain the correct
working temperature.
1.4L L4 Engine
1. Engine Cooling Fan (Out
of View)
2. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap

Black plate (24,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707487) -
2015 - crc - 10/31/14
10-24 Vehicle Care
Caution (Continued)
.If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces,
the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to
spill brake fluid on the
vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately.
Battery
The original equipment battery is
maintenance free. Do not remove
the cap and do not add fluid.
Refer to the replacement number
shown on the original battery label
when a new battery is needed. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 10-6for battery location.
{Warning
Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and reproductive
harm.Wash hands after
handling.
Vehicle Storage
{Warning
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. See Jump Starting on
page 10-75 for tips on working
around a battery without
getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: Remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery to keep the battery from
running down. Extended Storage: Remove the
black, negative (−) cable from the
battery or use a battery trickle
charger.
Starter Switch Check
{Warning
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be
injured.
1. Before starting this check, be sure there is enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Apply both the parking brake and the regular brake.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it
starts.

Black plate (26,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707487) -
2015 - crc - 10/31/14
10-26 Vehicle Care
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{Warning
When you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured
and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot on the regular brake, set
the parking brake.
.To check the parking brake's
holding ability: With the engine
running and the transmission in
N (Neutral), slowly remove foot
pressure from the regular brake
pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
.To check the P (Park)
mechanism's holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to
P (Park). Then release the
parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your dealer if service is
required.
Wiper Blade Replacement
Front Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected for wear or cracking. See
the Maintenance Schedule on
page 11-2 for more information.
Replacement blades come in
different types and are removed in
different ways. For proper
windshield wiper blade length and
type, see Maintenance
Replacement Parts on page 11-13.
{Caution
Allowing the wiper arm to touch
the windshield when no wiper
blade is installed could damage
the windshield. Any damage that
occurs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Do not allow
the wiper arm to touch the
windshield.
To replace the windshield wiper
blade:
1. Pull the windshield wiper assembly away from the
windshield.

Black plate (49,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707487) -
2015 - crc - 10/31/14
Vehicle Care 10-49
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type
gauge to check tire pressure.
Proper tire inflation cannot be
determined by looking at the tire.
Check the tire inflation pressure
when the tires are cold, meaning
the vehicle has not been driven
for at least three hours or no
more than 1.6 km (1 mi).
Remove the valve cap from the
tire valve stem. Press the tire
gauge firmly onto the valve to
get a pressure measurement.
If the cold tire inflation pressure
matches the recommended
pressure on the Tire and
Loading Information label, no
further adjustment is necessary.
If the inflation pressure is low,
add air until the recommended
pressure is reached. If the
inflation pressure is high, press
on the metal stem in the center
of the tire valve to release air.Recheck the tire pressure with
the tire gauge.
Return the valve caps on the
valve stems to prevent leaks
and keep out dirt and moisture.
Tire Pressure Monitor
System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) uses radio and sensor
technology to check tire pressure
levels. The TPMS sensors monitor
the air pressure in your tires and
transmit tire pressure readings to a
receiver located in the vehicle.
Each tire, including the spare (if
provided), should be checked
monthly when cold and inflated to
the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label. (If your vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size
indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you
should determine the proper tire
inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your
vehicle has been equipped with a
tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or more
of your tires is significantly
under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them
to the proper pressure. Driving on a
significantly under-inflated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can
lead to tire failure. Under-inflation
also reduces fuel efficiency and tire
tread life, and may affect the
vehicle's handling and stopping
ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a
substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver's
responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has

Black plate (51,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707487) -
2015 - crc - 10/31/14
Vehicle Care 10-51
A Tire and Loading Information label
shows the size of the original
equipment tires and the correct
inflation pressure for the tires when
they are cold. SeeVehicle Load
Limits on page 9-9, for an example
of the Tire and Loading Information
label and its location. Also see Tire
Pressure on page 10-48.
The TPMS can warn about a low
tire pressure condition but it does
not replace normal tire
maintenance. See Tire Inspection
on page 10-53, Tire Rotation on
page 10-53 andTires on
page 10-40.
{Caution
Tire sealant materials are not all
the same. A non-approved tire
sealant could damage the TPMS
sensors. TPMS sensor damage
caused by using an incorrect tire
sealant is not covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always use only
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
the GM approved tire sealant
available through your dealer or
included in the vehicle.
Factory-installed Tire Inflator Kits
use a GM-approved liquid tire
sealant. Using non-approved tire
sealants could damage the TPMS
sensors. See Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit on page 10-62 for
information regarding the inflator kit
materials and instructions.
TPMS Malfunction Light
The TPMS will not function properly
if one or more of the TPMS sensors
are missing or inoperable. When the
system detects a malfunction, the
low tire warning light flashes for
about one minute and then stays on
for the remainder of the ignition
cycle. The malfunction light comes
on at each ignition cycle until the
problem is corrected. Some of the
conditions that can cause this to
come on are:
.One of the road tires has been
replaced with the spare tire. The
spare tire does not have a
TPMS sensor. The malfunction
light should go off after the road
tire is replaced and the sensor
matching process is performed
successfully. See "TPMS Sensor
Matching Process" later in this
section.
.The TPMS sensor matching
process was not done or not
completed successfully after
rotating the tires. The