2015 CHEVROLET SONIC Owners Manual

Black plate (28,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707487) -
2015 - crc - 10/31/14
9-28 Driving and Operating
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction Control
System (TCS) and StabiliTrak®, an
electronic stability control system.
These systems help limit wheel slip
and assist the driver in maintaining
control, especially on slippery road
conditions.
TCS activates if it senses that any
of the drive wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, TCS applies the brakes to
the spinning wheels and reduces
engine power to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak activates when the
vehicle senses a difference between
the intended path and the direction
the vehicle is actually traveling.
StabiliTrak selectively applies
braking pressure to any one of the vehicle wheel brakes to assist the
driver in keeping the vehicle on the
intended path.
If cruise control is being used and
traction control or StabiliTrak begins
to limit wheel spin, cruise control will
disengage. Cruise control may be
turned back on when road
conditions allow.
Both systems come on
automatically when the vehicle is
started and begins to move. The
systems may be heard or felt while
they are operating or while
performing diagnostic checks. This
is normal and does not mean there
is a problem with the vehicle.
It is recommended to leave both
systems on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn TCS off if the vehicle gets
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
See
If the Vehicle Is Stuck on
page 9-8 and“Turning the Systems
Off and On” later in this section.
The indicator light for both systems
is in the instrument cluster. This
light will:
.Flash when TCS is limiting
wheel spin.
.Flash when StabiliTrak is
activated.
.Turn on and stay on when either
system is not working.
If either system fails to turn on or to
activate, a message displays in the
Driver Information Center (DIC),
and
dcomes on and stays on to
indicate that the system is inactive
and is not assisting the driver in
maintaining control. The vehicle is
safe to drive, but driving should be
adjusted accordingly.

Black plate (29,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707487) -
2015 - crc - 10/31/14
Driving and Operating 9-29
Ifdcomes on and stays on:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Turn the engine off and wait 15 seconds.
3. Start the engine.
Drive the vehicle. If
dcomes on
and stays on, the vehicle may need
more time to diagnose the problem.
If the condition persists, see your
dealer.
Turning the Systems Off
and On
The button for TCS and StabiliTrak
is on the center console.
{Caution
Do not repeatedly brake or
accelerate heavily when TCS is
off. The vehicle driveline could be
damaged.
To turn off only TCS, press and
release the
gbutton. The traction
off light
idisplays in the instrument
cluster.
To turn TCS on again, press and
release the
gbutton. The traction
off light
idisplayed in the
instrument cluster will turn off.
If TCS is limiting wheel spin when
the
gbutton is pressed, the system
will not turn off until the wheels stop
spinning.
To turn off both TCS and StabiliTrak,
press and hold the
gbutton until
the traction off light
iand StabiliTrak OFF Light
gcome on
and stay on in the instrument
cluster.
To turn TCS and StabiliTrak on
again, press and release the
g
button. The traction off lightiand
StabiliTrak OFF Light
gin the
instrument cluster turn off.
Adding accessories can affect the
vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications on
page 10-3.

Black plate (30,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707487) -
2015 - crc - 10/31/14
9-30 Driving and Operating
Cruise Control
If the vehicle is equipped with cruise
control, a speed of about 40 km/h
(25 mph) or more can be maintained
without keeping your foot on the
accelerator. Cruise control does not
work at speeds below 40 km/h
(25 mph).
{Warning
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
a steady speed. Do not use
cruise control on winding roads or
in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.
If the vehicle's Traction Control
System (TCS) or StabiliTrak system
begins to limit wheel spin while using cruise control, the cruise
control will automatically disengage.
See
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control on page 9-28. If a
collision alert occurs when cruise
control is activated, cruise control is
disengaged. See Forward Collision
Alert (FCA) System on page 9-32.
When road conditions allow you to
safely use it again, the cruise
control can be turned back on.
If the brakes are applied, cruise
control disengages.
o(On/Off): Press to turn the
cruise control system on and off.
A white indicator comes on in the
instrument cluster when cruise is
turned on.
RES/+ (Resume/Accelerate): If
there is a set speed in memory,
move the thumbwheel up briefly to
resume to that speed or hold
upwards to accelerate. If cruise
control is already active, use to
increase vehicle speed.
SET/− (Set/Coast): Move the
thumbwheel down briefly to set the
speed and activate cruise control.
If cruise control is already active,
use to decrease speed.
n(Cancel): Press to disengage
cruise control without erasing the
set speed from memory.

Black plate (31,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707487) -
2015 - crc - 10/31/14
Driving and Operating 9-31
Setting Cruise Control
If
ois on when not in use, SET/- or
RES/+ could get bumped and go
into cruise when not desired.
Keep
ooff when cruise control is
not being used.
To set cruise control:
1. Press
oto turn the cruise
system on.
2. Get to the speed desired.
3. Move the thumbwheel down to SET/- and release it.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
The cruise control indicator on the
instrument cluster turns green after
cruise control has been set to the
desired speed. See Instrument
Cluster on page 5-9.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at a
desired speed and then the brakes
or clutch for manual transmissions are applied or
nis pressed, the
cruise control is disengaged without
erasing the set speed from memory.
Once the vehicle reaches about
40 km/h (25 mph) or more, move the
thumbwheel up toward RES/+
briefly. The vehicle returns to the
previous set speed.
Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already activated:
.Move the thumbwheel up toward
RES/+ and hold it until the
desired speed is reached, then
release it.
.To increase the vehicle speed in
small increments, move the
thumbwheel up toward RES/+
briefly and then release it. For
each press, the vehicle goes
about 1.6 km/h (1 mph) faster. The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units. See
Driver Information Center
(DIC) on page 5-24. The increment
value used depends on the units
displayed.
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already activated:
.Move the thumbwheel toward
SET/− and hold until the desired
lower speed is reached, then
release it.
.To decrease the vehicle speed in
smaller increments, move the
thumbwheel toward SET/−
briefly. For each press, the
vehicle goes about 1.6 km/h
(1 mph) slower.
The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units. See Driver Information Center
(DIC) on page 5-24. The increment
value used depends on the units
displayed.

Black plate (32,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707487) -
2015 - crc - 10/31/14
9-32 Driving and Operating
Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to
increase the vehicle speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, the
vehicle slows down to the previous
set cruise control speed. While
pressing the accelerator pedal or
shortly following the release to
override cruise control, briefly
moving the thumbwheel toward
SET–will result in cruise control set
to the current vehicle speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well cruise control works on
hills depends on the vehicle speed,
load, and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you
might have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain the
vehicle speed. When going
downhill, you might have to brake or
shift to a lower gear to keep your
speed down. If the brake pedal is
applied, cruise control will
disengage. Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to end cruise
control:
.To disengage cruise control,
step lightly on the brake pedal or
clutch for manual transmission.
.Pressnon the steering wheel.
.Shift the transmission to
N (Neutral).
.To turn off cruise control,
press
oon the steering wheel.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory if the
obutton
is pressed or if the ignition is
turned off.
Driver Assistance
Systems
Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) System
If equipped, the FCA system may
help to avoid or reduce the harm
caused by front-end crashes. When
approaching a vehicle ahead too
quickly, FCA provides a red flashing
alert on the windshield and rapidly
beeps.
FCA detects vehicles within a
distance of approximately 60 m
(197 ft) and operates at speeds
above 40 km/h (25 mph).
{Warning
FCA is a warning system and
does not apply the brakes. When
approaching a slower-moving or
stopped vehicle ahead too rapidly,
or when following a vehicle too
(Continued)

Black plate (33,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707487) -
2015 - crc - 10/31/14
Driving and Operating 9-33
Warning (Continued)
closely, FCA may not provide a
warning with enough time to help
avoid a crash. FCA does not warn
of pedestrians, animals, signs,
guardrails, bridges, construction
barrels, or other objects. Be ready
to take action and apply the
brakes. For more information, see
Defensive Driving on page 9-2.
FCA can be disabled with the FCA
steering wheel control.
Detecting the Vehicle Ahead
FCA warnings will not occur unless
the FCA system detects a vehicle
ahead. When a vehicle is detected,
the vehicle ahead indicator will display green. Vehicles may not be
detected on curves, highway exit
ramps, or hills; or due to poor
visibility. FCA will not detect another
vehicle ahead until it is completely
in the driving lane.
{Warning
FCA does not provide a warning
to help avoid a crash, unless it
detects a vehicle. FCA may not
detect a vehicle ahead if the FCA
sensor is blocked by dirt, snow,
or ice, or if the windshield is
damaged. It may also not detect a
vehicle on winding or hilly roads,
or in conditions that can limit
visibility such as fog, rain,
or snow, or if the headlamps or
windshield are not cleaned or in
proper condition. Keep the
windshield, headlamps, and FCA
sensors clean and in good repair.
Collision Alert
When your vehicle approaches
another detected vehicle too rapidly,
the red FCA display on top of the
instrument panel to the right of the
steering wheel will flash. Also,
several rapid high-pitched beeps will
sound from the front. When this
Collision Alert occurs, the brake
system may prepare for driver
braking to occur more rapidly which
can cause a brief, mild deceleration.
Continue to apply the brake pedal
as needed. Cruise control may be
disengaged when the Collision Alert
occurs.
Tailgating Alert
The red FCA display will stay
continuously illuminated when you
are following a detected vehicle
ahead much too closely.

Black plate (34,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707487) -
2015 - crc - 10/31/14
9-34 Driving and Operating
Selecting the Alert Timing
The Collision Alert control is on the
steering wheel. Press COLLISION
ALERT to set the alert timing to far,
medium, near or off. The first button
press shows the current control
setting on the DIC. Additional button
presses will change this setting. The
chosen setting will remain until it is
changed and will affect both the
Collision Alert and the Tailgating
Alert features. The timing of both
alerts will vary based on vehicle
speed. The faster the vehicle speed,
the farther away the alert will occur.Consider traffic and weather
conditions when selecting the alert
timing. The range of selectable alert
timing may not be appropriate for all
drivers and driving conditions.
Unnecessary Alerts
FCA may sometimes set
unnecessary alerts to turning
vehicles, vehicles in other lanes,
objects that are not vehicles,
or shadows. These alerts are
normal operation and the vehicle
does not need service.
Cleaning the System
If the FCA system does not seem to
operate properly, cleaning the
outside of the windshield in front of
the rearview mirror may correct the
issue.
Rear Vision
Camera (RVC)
This vehicle may have the RVC
system. Read this entire section
before using it.
The RVC system can assist the
driver when backing up by
displaying a view of the area behind
the vehicle.
{Warning
The RVC system does not display
children, pedestrians, bicyclists,
crossing traffic, animals, or any
other object located outside the
camera's field of view, below the
bumper, or under the vehicle.
Perceived distances may be
different from actual distances.
Do not back the vehicle using
only the RVC screen. Failure to
use proper care before backing
may result in injury, death,
or vehicle damage. Always check
behind and around the vehicle
before backing.
An image appears on the
infotainment screen when the
vehicle is shifted into R (Reverse).
The infotainment screen goes to the

Black plate (35,1)Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-7707487) -
2015 - crc - 10/31/14
Driving and Operating 9-35
previous screen after approximately
4 seconds once the vehicle is
shifted out of R (Reverse).
To return to the previous screen
sooner, do one of the following:
.Shift into P (Park).
.Reach a vehicle speed of
8 km/h (5 mph).
Guidelines
The RVC system has a guideline
overlay that can help the driver align
the vehicle when backing into a
parking spot.
To turn the guidelines on or off:
1. Shift into P (Park).
2. From the home page on the infotainment system, select
Settings.
3. Select Rear Camera Options.
4. Select Guidelines. Rear Vision Camera Error
Messages
SERVICE REAR VISION CAMERA
SYSTEM:
This message can
display when the system is not
operating properly.
If any other problem occurs or if a
problem persists, see your dealer.
Rear Vision Camera Location
The camera is above the license
plate. The area displayed by the camera is
limited. It does not display objects
that are close to either corner or
under the bumper and can vary
depending on vehicle orientation or
road conditions. Displayed images
may be closer or farther than they
appear.
The following illustrations show the
field of view that the camera
provides.1. View displayed by the camera.