2016 CHEVROLET SONIC Owners Manual

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9085902) -
2016 - CRC - 5/27/15
40 Keys, Doors, and Windows
The vehicle aerodynamics are
designed to improve fuel economy
performance. This may result in a
pulsing sound when either rear
window is down and the front
windows are up. To reduce the
sound, open either a front window
or the sunroof, if equipped.
Manual Windows
If equipped, use the window crank
to open and close each window.
The rear windows do not open fully.
Power Windows
{Warning
Leaving children in a vehicle with
the keys is dangerous for many
reasons. Children or others could
be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate the power
windows or other controls or even
make the vehicle move. The
windows will function and they
could be seriously injured or killed(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
if caught in the path of a closing
window. Do not leave keys in a
vehicle with children.
When there are children in the
rear seat use the window lockout
button to prevent unintentional
operation of the windows.
If equipped, press the switch to
open the window. Pull the front of
the switch up to close it. The switches work when the vehicle
is in ON/RUN or ACC/
ACCESSORY, or when Retained
Accessory Power (RAP) is active.
See
Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) 0194.
Express Window Operation
Windows with an express-down or
express-up feature allow the window
to be lowered or raised without
holding the switch. The driver
window has express-down and
express-up. Pull a window switch up
or push it down all the way, release
it, and the window goes up or down
automatically. Stop the window by
pushing or pulling the switch in the
same direction a second time or
briefly operating the switch to the
first detent in either direction.
Safety Function
If any object is in the path of the
window when the express-up
feature is active, the window will
stop and auto-reverse to a preset
position. Weather conditions may
cause the window to auto-reverse.
The window switch may be held up

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9085902) -
2016 - CRC - 5/27/15
Keys, Doors, and Windows 41
to the second position to close the
window. The window will return to
normal operation once the
obstruction or condition is removed.
Safety Function Override
If the battery on the vehicle has
been recharged or disconnected,
or is not working, the windows will
need to be reprogrammed for the
express-up feature to work. Before
reprogramming, replace or recharge
the vehicle's battery.
To program the driver window:1. With the ignition in ACC/ ACCESSORY or ON/RUN,
or when RAP is active, close
all doors.
2. Press and hold the power window switch until the window
is fully open.
3. Pull the power window switch up until the window is fully
closed. 4. Continue holding the switch up
for approximately two seconds
after the window is completely
closed.
The window is now reprogrammed.Window Lockout
This feature prevents the rear
passenger windows from operating,
except from the driver position.
Press
oto disable the rear window
switches.
Press
oagain to return to normal
window operation.
Sun Visors
To block out glare, swing down the
sun visors. You can also remove
them from the center mount and
swing them to the side.
Visor Vanity Mirror
Vanity mirrors are on the back of the
sun visors. Swing down the sun
visor and open the cover.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9085902) -
2016 - CRC - 5/27/15
42 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Roof
Sunroof
On vehicles with this feature, the
sunroof only operates when the
ignition is turned to ON/RUN or
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) is
active.Open/Close :
To open the sunroof,
press and hold the rear of the
switch. To close the sunroof, press
and hold the front of the switch.
Vent : Press and hold the front of
the switch to vent the sunroof.
Express Open : Press and release
the rear of the switch to
express open.
Manually close the sunshade.
The sunroof will not operate if the
vehicle has an electrical failure.
Dirt and debris may collect on the
sunroof seal or in the track. This
could cause an issue with sunroof
operation or noise. It could also plug
the water drainage system.
Periodically open the sunroof and
remove any obstacles or loose
debris. Wipe the sunroof seal and
roof sealing area using a clean
cloth, mild soap, and water. Do not
remove grease from the sunroof.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9085902) -
2016 - CRC - 5/27/15
Seats and Restraints 43
Seats and
Restraints
Head Restraints
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Front Seats
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Front Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Heated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Rear Seats
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Safety Belts
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Safety Belt Extender . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . 55
Safety Belt Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Replacing Safety Belt System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Airbag System
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . 58
When Should an Airbag
Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
How Does an Airbag Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
What Will You See after an Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Passenger Sensing System . . . 62
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Adding Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . 66
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . 67
Replacing Airbag System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Child Restraints
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Infants and Young Children . . . . 69
Child Restraint Systems . . . . . . . 72
Where to Put the Restraint . . . . . 73
Lower Anchors and Tethers forChildren (LATCH System) . . . . 74
Replacing LATCH System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Securing Child Restraints (Rear Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Securing Child Restraints (Front Passenger Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Head Restraints
{Warning
With head restraints that are not
installed and adjusted properly,
there is a greater chance that
occupants will suffer a neck/
spinal injury in a crash. Do not
drive until the head restraints for
all occupants are installed and
adjusted properly.
Front Seats
The front seats have adjustable
head restraints in the outboard
seating positions.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9085902) -
2016 - CRC - 5/27/15
44 Seats and Restraints
Adjust the head restraint so that the
top of the restraint is at the same
height as the top of the occupant's
head. This position reduces the
chances of a neck injury in a crash.The height of the head restraint can
be adjusted. Pull the head restraint
up to raise it. Try to move the head
restraint to make sure that it is
locked in place.
To lower the head restraint, press
the button, located on the top of the
seatback, and push the head
restraint down. Try to move the
head restraint after the button is
released to make sure that it is
locked in place.
The front seat outboard head
restraints are not removeable.
Rear Seats
The vehicle's rear seats have
adjustable head restraints in the
outboard seating positions.
The height of the head restraint can
be adjusted. Pull the head restraint
up to raise it. Try to move the head
restraint to make sure that it is
locked in place.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9085902) -
2016 - CRC - 5/27/15
Seats and Restraints 45
To lower the head restraint, press
the button, located on the top of the
seatback, and push the head
restraint down. Try to move the
head restraint after the button is
released to make sure that it is
locked in place.
Rear outboard head restraints are
not removable.Front Seats
Seat Adjustment
Manual Seats
{Warning
You can lose control of the
vehicle if you try to adjust a driver
seat while the vehicle is moving.
Adjust the driver seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.
To adjust a manual seat:1. Pull up on the handle at the front of the seat.
2. Slide the seat to the desired position and release the
handle.
3. Try to move the seat back and forth to be sure it is locked in
place.
Seat Height Adjuster
If available, move the lever up or
down to manually raise or lower
the seat.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9085902) -
2016 - CRC - 5/27/15
46 Seats and Restraints
Reclining Seatbacks
{Warning
If either seatback is not locked, it
could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the
seatbacks to be sure they are
locked.
To recline a manual seatback:1. Lift the lever.
If necessary, move the safety
belt out of the way to access
the lever.
2. Move the seatback to the desired position, and then
release the lever to lock the
seatback in place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked in
place.
To return the seatback to the upright
position:
1. Lift the lever fully without applying 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.{Warning
Sitting in a reclined position when
the vehicle is in motion can be
dangerous. Even when buckled
up, the safety belts cannot do
their job.
The shoulder belt will not be
against your body. Instead, it will
be in front of you. In a crash, you
could go into it, receiving neck or
other injuries.
The lap belt could go up over
your abdomen. The belt forces
would be there, not at your pelvic
bones. This could cause serious
internal injuries.
For proper protection when the
vehicle is in motion, have the
seatback upright. Then sit well
back in the seat and wear the
safety belt properly.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9085902) -
2016 - CRC - 5/27/15
Seats and Restraints 47
Do not have a seatback reclined if
the vehicle is moving.
Front Seat Armrest
There is an armrest on the inboard
side of the driver seat. To raise or
lower the armrest, push up or pull
down on the armrest.
Heated Front Seats
{Warning
If you cannot feel temperature
change or pain to the skin, the
seat heater may cause burns. To
reduce the risk of burns, people
with such a condition should use
care when using the seat heater,
especially for long periods of
time. Do not place anything on
the seat that insulates against
heat, such as a blanket, cushion,
cover, or similar item. This may
cause the seat heater to
overheat. An overheated seat
heater may cause a burn or may
damage the seat.
If equipped, the controls are on the
climate control system. To operate,
the engine must be running.
Press
MorLto heat the driver or
passenger seat. The indicator light
on the control turns on when this
feature is on. Press the control
again to turn this feature off.
The passenger seat may take
longer to heat up.
Remote Start Auto Heated
Seats
If equipped, when it is cold outside
the heated seats can be turned on
automatically during a remote
vehicle start. The heated seats will