2017 CHEVROLET SONIC ECU

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Seats and Restraints 61
Lap-Shoulder Belt
All seating positions in the vehiclehave a lap-shoulder belt.
The following instructions explainhow to wear a lap-shoulder beltproperly.
1. Adjust the seat, if the seat isadjustable, so you can sit upstraight. To see how, see“Seats”in the Index.
2. Pick up the latch plate and pullthe belt across you. Do not letit get twisted.
The lap-shoulder belt may lockif you pull the belt across youvery quickly. If this happens, letthe belt go back slightly tounlock it. Then pull the beltacross you more slowly.
If the shoulder portion of apassenger belt is pulled out allthe way, the child restraintlocking feature may beengaged. If this happens, letthe belt go back all the wayand start again.
For the driver and frontoutboard passenger belts,if the webbing locks in the latch
plate before it reaches thebuckle, tilt the latch plate to flatto unlock.
3. Push the latch plate into thebuckle until it clicks.
If the latch plate will not go fullyinto the buckle, check if thecorrect buckle is being used.
Pull up on the latch plate tomake sure it is secure. If thebelt is not long enough, seeSafety Belt Extender064.
Position the release button onthe buckle so that the safetybelt could be quickly unbuckledif necessary.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
64 Seats and Restraints
Apregnantwomanshouldwearalap-shoulder belt, and the lapportion should be worn as low aspossible, below the rounding,throughout the pregnancy.
The best way to protect the fetus isto protect the mother. When a safetybelt is worn properly, it is more likelythat the fetus will not be hurt in acrash. For pregnant women, as foranyone, the key to making safetybelts effective is wearing themproperly.
Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle's safety belt will fastenaround you, you should use it.
But if a safety belt is not longenough, your dealer will order youan extender. When you go in toorder it, take the heaviest coat youwill wear, so the extender will belong enough for you. To help avoidpersonal injury, do not let someoneelse use it, and use it only for theseat it is made to fit. The extenderhas been designed for adults. Neveruse it for securing child restraints.To w e a r i t , a t t a c h i t t o t h e r e g u l a r
safety belt. For more information,see the instruction sheet that comeswith the extender.
Safety System Check
Check that the safety belt reminder,safety belts, buckles, latch plates,and retractors, are all workingproperly. Look for any other loose ordamaged safety belt system partsthat might keep a safety belt systemfrom performing properly. See yourdealer to have it repaired. Torn orfrayed safety belts may not protectyou in a crash. They can rip apartunder impact forces. If a belt is tornor frayed, have it replacedimmediately.
Make sure the safety belt reminderlight is working. SeeSafety BeltReminders011 0.
Keep safety belts clean and dry.SeeSafety Belt Care064.
Safety Belt Care
Keep belts clean and dry.
{Warning
Do not bleach or dye safety belt
webbing. It may severely weaken
the webbing. In a crash, they
might not be able to provide
adequate protection. Clean and
rinse safety belt webbing only
with mild soap and lukewarm
water. Allow the webbing to dry.
Safety belts should be properlycared for and maintained.
Safety belt hardware should be keptdry and free of dust or debris. Asnecessary exterior hard surfacesand safety belt webbing may belightly cleaned with mild soap andwater. Ensure there is not excessivedust or debris in the mechanism.If dust or debris exists in the systemplease see the dealer. Parts mayneed to be replaced to ensureproper functionality of the system.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Seats and Restraints 67
{Warning
Children who are up against,
or very close to, any airbag when
it inflates can be seriously injured
or killed. Always secure children
properly in the vehicle. To read
how, seeOlder Children077or
Infants and Young Children079.
There is an airbag readiness lighton the instrument panel cluster,which shows the airbag symbol. Thesystem checks the airbag electricalsystem for malfunctions. The lighttells you if there is an electricalproblem. SeeAirbag ReadinessLight011 0for more information.
Where Are the Airbags?
The driver frontal airbag is in thecenter of the steering wheel.
The front outboard passengerfrontal airbag is in the passengerside instrument panel.
The driver knee airbag is below thesteering column. The front outboardpassenger knee airbag is below theglove box.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
68 Seats and Restraints
Driver Side Shown, Passenger
Side Similar
The driver and front outboardpassenger seat-mounted sideimpact airbags are in the side of theseatbacks closest to the door.
The roof-rail airbags for the driver,front outboard passenger, andsecond row outboard passengersare in the ceiling above the sidewindows.
Rear Seat Driver Side Shown,
Passenger Side Similar
On vehicles with second rowseat-mounted side impact airbags,they are in the sides of the rearseatback closest to the door.
{Warning
If something is between an
occupant and an airbag, the
airbag might not inflate properly
or it might force the object into
that person causing severe injury
or even death. The path of an
inflating airbag must be kept
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
clear. Do not put anything
between an occupant and an
airbag, and do not attach or put
anything on the steering wheel
hub or on or near any other
airbag covering.
Do not use seat accessories that
block the inflation path of a
seat-mounted side impact airbag.
Never secure anything to the roof
of a vehicle with roof-rail airbags
by routing a rope or tie⇣down
through any door or window
opening. If you do, the path of an
inflating roof-rail airbag will be
blocked.
When Should an Airbag
Inflate?
This vehicle is equipped withairbags. SeeAirbag System065.Airbags are designed to inflate if theimpact exceeds the specific airbagsystem's deployment threshold.Deployment thresholds are used to

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
72 Seats and Restraints
OFF, or the symbol for on or off, willbe visible. SeePassenger AirbagStatus Indicator0111.
The passenger sensing systemturns off the front outboardpassenger frontal airbag and kneeairbag under certain conditions. Noother airbag is affected by thepassenger sensing system.
The passenger sensing systemworks with sensors that are part ofthe front outboard passenger seat.The sensors are designed to detectthe presence of a properly seatedoccupant and determine if the frontoutboard passenger frontal airbagand knee airbag should be allowedto inflate or not.
According to accident statistics,children are safer when properlysecured in a rear seat in the correctchild restraint for their weightand size.
Whenever possible, children age12 and under should be secured inarearseatingposition.
Never put a rear-facing child seat inthe front. This is because the risk tothe rear-facing child is so great,if the airbag inflates.
{Warning
Achildinarear-facingchild
restraint can be seriously injured
or killed if the passenger frontal
airbag inflates. This is because
the back of the rear-facing child
restraint would be very close to
the inflating airbag. A child in a
forward-facing child restraint can
be seriously injured or killed if the
passenger frontal airbag inflates
and the passenger seat is in a
forward position.
Even if the passenger sensing
system has turned off the front
outboard passenger airbag(s), no
system is fail-safe. No one can
guarantee that an airbag will not
deploy under some unusual
circumstance, even though the
airbag(s) are off.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Never put a rear-facing child
restraint in the front seat, even if
the airbag is off. If securing a
forward-facing child restraint in
the front outboard passenger
seat, always move the seat as far
back as it will go. It is better to
secure child restraints in the rear
seat. Consider using another
vehicle to transport the child
when a rear seat is not available.
The passenger sensing system isdesigned to turn off the frontoutboard passenger frontal airbagand knee airbag if:
.The front outboard passengerseat is unoccupied.
.The system determines that aninfant is present in a rear-facinginfant seat.
.The system determines that asmall child is present in a childrestraint.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Seats and Restraints 73
.The system determines that asmall child is present in abooster seat.
.Afrontoutboardpassengertakes his/her weight off of theseat for a period of time.
.The front outboard passengerseat is occupied by a smallerperson, such as a child who hasoutgrown child restraints.
.There is a critical problem withthe airbag system or thepassenger sensing system.
When the passenger sensingsystem has turned off the frontoutboard passenger frontal airbagand knee airbag, the off indicatorwill light and stay lit as a reminderthat the airbags are off. SeePassenger Airbag StatusIndicator0111.
The passenger sensing system isdesigned to turn on the frontoutboard passenger frontal airbagand knee airbag anytime the systemsenses that a person of adult size issitting properly in the front outboardpassenger seat. When the
passenger sensing system hasallowed the airbags to be enabled,the on indicator will light and stay litas a reminder that the airbags areactive.
For some children who haveoutgrown child restraints, and forvery small adults, the passengersensing system may or may not turnoff the front outboard passengerfrontal airbag and knee airbag,depending upon the person'sseating posture and body build.Everyone in the vehicle who hasoutgrown child restraints shouldwear a safety belt properly—whether or not there is an airbag forthat person.
{Warning
If the airbag readiness light ever
comes on and stays on, it means
that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others,
have the vehicle serviced right
away. SeeAirbag Readiness
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Light011 0for more information,
including important safety
information.
If the On Indicator Is Lit for a
Child Restraint
If a child restraint has been installedand the on indicator is lit:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove the child restraint fromthe vehicle.
3. Remove any additional itemsfrom the seat such as blankets,cushions, seat covers, seatheaters, or seat massagers.
4. Reinstall the child restraintfollowing the directionsprovided by the child restraintmanufacturer and refer toSecuring Child Restraints (Withthe Safety Belt in the FrontSeat)093orSecuring ChildRestraints (With the Safety Beltin the Rear Seat)091.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
74 Seats and Restraints
5. If, after reinstalling the childrestraint and restarting thevehicle, the on indicator is stilllit, turn the vehicle off. Thenslightly recline the vehicleseatback and adjust the seatcushion, if adjustable, to makesure that the vehicle seatbackis not pushing the childrestraint into the seat cushion.Also make sure the childrestraint is not trapped underthe vehicle head restraint.If this happens, adjust the headrestraint. SeeHeadRestraints052.
6. Restart the vehicle.
If the on indicator is still lit, securethe child in the child restraint in arear seat position in the vehicle, andcheck with your dealer.
If the Off Indicator Is Lit for an
Adult-Size Occupant
If a person of adult size is sitting inthe front outboard passenger seat,but the off indicator is lit, it could bebecause that person is not sittingproperly in the seat. Use thefollowing steps to allow the systemto detect that person and enable thefront outboard passenger frontalairbag and knee airbag:
1. Turn the vehicle off.
2. Remove any additional materialfrom the seat, such asblankets, cushions, seatcovers, seat heaters, or seatmassagers.
3. Place the seatback in the fullyupright position.
4. Have the person sit upright inthe seat, centered on the seatcushion, with legs comfortablyextended.
5. Restart the vehicle and havethe person remain in thisposition for two tothree minutes after the onindicator is lit.
{Warning
If the front outboard passenger
airbag is turned off for an
adult-sized occupant, the airbag
will not be able to inflate and help
protect that person in a crash,
resulting in an increased risk of
serious injury or even death. An
adult-sized occupant should not
(Continued)

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
76 Seats and Restraints
from working properly. Theoperation of the airbag system canalso be affected by changing anyparts of the front seats, safety belts,the airbag sensing and diagnosticmodule, steering wheel, instrumentpanel, any of the airbag modules,ceiling or pillar garnish trim, frontsensors, side impact sensors,or airbag wiring.
Yo u r d e a l e r a n d t h e s e r v i c e m a n u a lhave information about the locationof the airbag sensors, sensing anddiagnostic module, and airbagwiring.
In addition, the vehicle has apassenger sensing system for thefront outboard passenger position,which includes sensors that are partof the passenger seat. Thepassenger sensing system may notoperate properly if the original seattrim is replaced with non-GMcovers, upholstery, or trim; or withGM covers, upholstery, or trimdesigned for a different vehicle. Anyobject, such as an aftermarket seatheater or a comfort-enhancing pador device, installed under or on topof the seat fabric, could also
interfere with the operation of thepassenger sensing system. Thiscould either prevent properdeployment of the passengerairbag(s) or prevent the passengersensing system from properlyturning off the passenger airbag(s).SeePassenger SensingSystem071.
If the vehicle has rollover roof-railairbags, seeDifferent Size Tiresand Wheels0264for additionalimportant information.
If you have to modify your vehiclebecause you have a disability andhave questions about whether themodifications will affect the vehicle'sairbag system, or if you havequestions about whether the airbagsystem will be affected if the vehicleis modified for any other reason, callCustomer Assistance. SeeCustomer Assistance Offices0309.
Airbag System Check
The airbag system does not needregularly scheduled maintenance orreplacement. Make sure the airbagreadiness light is working. SeeAirbag Readiness Light011 0.
Caution
If an airbag covering is damaged,
opened, or broken, the airbag
may not work properly. Do not
open or break the airbag
coverings. If there are any
opened or broken airbag
coverings, have the airbag
covering and/or airbag module
replaced. For the location of the
airbags, seeWhere Are the
Airbags?067.Seeyourdealer
for service.