Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9085902) -
2016 - CRC - 5/27/15
8 In Brief
Initial Drive
Information
This section provides a brief
overview about some of the
important features that may or may
not be on your specific vehicle.
For more detailed information, refer
to each of the features which can be
found later in this owner manual.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
The RKE transmitter may work up to
60 m (195 ft) away from the vehicle.
With Remote Start Shown
Press the key release button to
extend the key blade. The key can
be used for the ignition and all
locks.
Press
Kto unlock the driver door or
all doors.
Press
Qto lock all doors.
Lock and unlock feedback can be
personalized. See Vehicle
Personalization 0113.
If equipped, press and hold
Yto
release the trunk. Press and release
7to initiate
vehicle locator.
Press and hold
7for at least
three seconds to sound the panic
alarm.
Press
7again to cancel the panic
alarm.
See Keys 025 and Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation 027.
Remote Vehicle Start
If equipped, the engine can be
started from outside of the vehicle.
Starting the Vehicle
1. Press and releaseQon the
RKE transmitter.
2. Immediately press and hold
/
for at least four seconds or until
the turn signal lamps flash.
3. Start the vehicle normally after entering.
When the vehicle starts, the parking
lamps will turn on.
Remote start can be extended.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9085902) -
2016 - CRC - 5/27/15
Keys, Doors, and Windows 25
Keys, Doors, and
Windows
Keys and Locks
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . 29
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . 32
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Doors
Trunk (Sedan) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Liftgate (Hatchback) . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Vehicle Security
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Vehicle Alarm System . . . . . . . . . 36
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Immobilizer Operation . . . . . . . . . 37
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Manual Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Interior Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror . . . . . . . . 39
Windows
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Manual Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Roof
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Keys and Locks
Keys
{Warning
Leaving children in a vehicle with
a Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter is dangerous and
children or others could be
seriously injured or killed. They
could operate the power windows
or other controls or make the
vehicle move. The windows will
function with the RKE transmitter
in the vehicle, and children or
others could be caught in the path
of a closing window. Do not leave
children in a vehicle with an RKE
transmitter.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9085902) -
2016 - CRC - 5/27/15
Keys, Doors, and Windows 27
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
SeeRadio Frequency Statement
0 328.
If there is a decrease in the RKE
operating range:
. Check the distance. The
transmitter may be too far from
the vehicle.
. Check the location. Other
vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal.
. Check the transmitter's battery.
See “Battery Replacement” later
in this section.
. If the transmitter is still not
working correctly, see your
dealer or a qualified technician
for service.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation
The RKE transmitter may work up to
60 m (195 ft) away from the vehicle.
Other conditions can affect the
performance of the transmitter. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System 027.
With Remote Start Shown
The following buttons are on the
transmitter:
Q(Lock) : Press to lock all doors.
The turn signal indicators may flash
and/or the horn may sound to
indicate locking. See Vehicle
Personalization 0113.
If the driver door is open when
Qis
pressed, all doors lock except the
driver door, if Unlocked Door Anti
Lock Out is enabled through the
vehicle personalization. See Vehicle
Personalization 0113. If the
passenger door is open when
Qis
pressed, all doors lock.
Pressing
Qmay also arm the
theft-deterrent system. See Vehicle
Alarm System 036.
K(Unlock) : Press to unlock the
driver door or all doors. See Vehicle
Personalization 0113. The turn
signal indicators flash to indicate
unlocking has occurred. See Vehicle
Personalization 0113.
Pressing
Kmay also disarm the
theft-deterrent system. See Vehicle
Alarm System 036.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9085902) -
2016 - CRC - 5/27/15
28 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Y(Remote Trunk Release) :
If equipped, press and hold to
release the trunk.
7(Vehicle Locator/Panic
Alarm) : Press and release one
time to initiate vehicle locator. The
exterior lamps flash and the horn
chirps three times. Press and hold
7for at least three seconds to
sound the panic alarm. The horn
sounds and the turn signals flash for
30 seconds until
7is pressed
again, or the key is placed in the
ignition and turned to ON/RUN.
/(Remote Vehicle Start) :
If equipped, press and release
Q
and then immediately press and
hold
/for at least four seconds or
until the turn signal lamps flash to
start the engine from outside the
vehicle using the RKE transmitter.
See Remote Vehicle Start 029.
The buttons on the RKE transmitter
are disabled when there is a key in
the ignition.
Programming Transmitters to
the Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmed
to this vehicle will work. If a
transmitter is lost or stolen, a
replacement can be purchased and
programmed through your dealer.
When the replacement transmitter is
programmed to this vehicle, all
remaining transmitters must also be
reprogrammed. Any lost or stolen
transmitters will no longer work
once the new transmitter is
programmed. See your dealer to
have new transmitters programmed.
Programming with a Recognized
Transmitter
To program a new key: 1. Insert the original, already programmed key in the ignition
and turn the key to the ON/
RUN position.
2. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF, and remove the key.
3. Insert the new key to be programmed and turn it to the
ON/RUN position within
five seconds. The security light will turn off
once the key has been
programmed.
4. Repeat Steps 1–3 if additional keys are to be programmed.
If a key is lost or damaged, see your
dealer to have a new key made.
Programming without a
Recognized Transmitter
Program a new key to the vehicle
when a recognized key is not
available. Canadian regulations
require that owners see their dealer.
If there are no currently recognized
keys available, follow this procedure
to program the first key.
This procedure will take
approximately 30 minutes to
complete for the first key. The
vehicle must be off and all of the
keys you wish to program must be
with you.
1. Insert the new vehicle key into the ignition.
2. Turn to ON/RUN. The security light will come on.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9085902) -
2016 - CRC - 5/27/15
36 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Vehicle Security
This vehicle has theft-deterrent
features; however, they do not make
the vehicle impossible to steal.
Vehicle Alarm System
This vehicle has an anti-theft alarm
system.
The indicator light on the instrument
panel near the windshield indicates
the status of the system.
Off :Vehicle is disarmed.
On Solid : Vehicle is secured
during the delay to arm the system.
Fast Flash : Vehicle is unsecured.
A door, the hood, or the trunk/
liftgate is open. Slow Flash :
Alarm system is
armed.
Arming the Alarm System
1. Close all doors, the trunk/
liftgate, and the hood.
2. Lock the vehicle in one of two ways:
.Use the RKE transmitter.
. With a door open, press the
inside
Q.
3. After 30 seconds the alarm system will arm, and the
indicator light will begin to
slowly flash indicating the
alarm system is operating.
Pressing
Qon the RKE
transmitter a second time will
bypass the 30-second delay
and immediately arm the alarm
system.
The vehicle alarm system will not
arm if the doors are locked with
the key.
If the driver door is opened without
first unlocking with the RKE
transmitter, the horn will chirp and the lights will flash to indicate
pre-alarm. If the vehicle is not
started, or the door is not unlocked
by pressing
Kon the RKE
transmitter during the 10-second
pre-alarm, the alarm will be
activated.
If a door, the hood, or the liftgate is
opened without first unlocking with
the RKE transmitter, the turn signals
will flash and the horn will sound for
about 30 seconds. The alarm
system will then re-arm to monitor
for the next unauthorized event.
Disarming the System
To disarm the system, either unlock
the doors using the RKE transmitter,
or start the vehicle with a
recognized transmitter in the
vehicle.
To avoid setting off the alarm by
accident:
. Press
Kon the RKE transmitter.
. Start the vehicle.
To avoid setting off the alarm by
accident:
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9085902) -
2016 - CRC - 5/27/15
Keys, Doors, and Windows 37
.Lock the vehicle after all
occupants have left the vehicle
and all doors are closed.
. Always unlock a door with the
RKE transmitter.
Unlocking the driver door with the
key will not disarm the system or
turn off the alarm.
How to Detect a Tamper
Condition
IfKis pressed on the transmitter
and the horn chirps and the lights
flash three times, an alarm occurred
previously while the alarm system
was armed.
Immobilizer
See Radio Frequency Statement
0 328.
Immobilizer Operation
This vehicle has a passive
theft-deterrent system.
The system does not have to be
manually armed or disarmed. The vehicle is automatically
immobilized when the key is
removed from the ignition.
The system is automatically
disarmed when the vehicle is
started with the correct key. The key
uses a transponder that matches an
immobilizer control unit in the
vehicle and automatically disarms
the system. Only an authorized key
starts the vehicle. The vehicle may
not start if the key is damaged.
The security light in the instrument
cluster comes on if there is a
problem with arming or disarming
the theft-deterrent system.
When trying to start the vehicle, the
security light comes on briefly when
the ignition is turned on.
If the engine does not start and the
security light stays on, there is a
problem with the system. Turn the
ignition off and try again.
If the engine still does not start, and
the key appears to be undamaged
or the light continues to stay on, try
another ignition key. If the engine
does not start with the other key, the
vehicle needs service. If the vehicle
does start, the first key may be
damaged. See your dealer who can
service the theft-deterrent system
and have a new key made.
Do not leave the key or device that
disarms or deactivates the
theft-deterrent system in the vehicle.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9085902) -
2016 - CRC - 5/27/15
342 Index
IndexA
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . 217
Additional Information OnStar
®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336
Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Agreements
Trademarks and License . . . . . 174
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . . . 230
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Air Intake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
How Does an AirbagRestrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Passenger Sensing System . . . . 62
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
What Will You See after an
Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
When Should an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . . 58 Airbags
Adding Equipment to the
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Passenger Status Indicator . . . . . 99
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Servicing Airbag-Equipped Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Alarm Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Antenna
Multi-band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . 202
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Appearance Care Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Armrest
Front Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Assistance Program, Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Audio
Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Theft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . . 128
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S/Canada-9085902) -
2016 - CRC - 5/27/15
Index 349
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . 208
Rear Window Washer/Wiper . . . . . 92
Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Recommended Fluids andLubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Records Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . 290
Reduced Engine Power Light . . . 107
Reimbursement Program, GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Replacement Parts
Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . . . 67
Replacing LATCH System
Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Replacing Safety Belt System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government . . . . . . . . 329
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329 Reporting Safety Defects (cont'd)
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Restraints Where to Put . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Roads Driving, Wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Roadside Assistance
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Roof Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Rotation, Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Routing, Engine Drive Belt . . . . . . 317
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
S
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Replacing after a Crash . . . . . . . . 55
Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . 54
Safety Defects Reporting
Canadian Government . . . . . . . . 329 Safety Defects Reporting (cont'd)
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Satellite Radio Antenna . . . . . . . . . 142
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . . . 324
Sealant Kit, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Seats
Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Heated Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Securing Child Restraints . . . . 80, 82
Security OnStar®. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Vehicle Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Service Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Climate Control System . . . . . . . 176
Doing Your Own Work . . . . . . . . 221
Engine Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . . 313