Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
280 Vehicle Care
Dolly Towing from the Front
The vehicle can be towed from thefront using a dolly. To tow thevehicle using a dolly:
1. Attach the dolly to the towvehicle following the dollymanufacturer's instructions.
2. Drive the front wheels onto thedolly.
3. Put an automatic transmissionin P (Park) or a manualtransmission into 1 (First) gear.
4. Set the parking brake andremove the key.
5. Clamp the steering wheel in astraight-ahead position with aclamping device designed fortowing.
6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly.
7. Release the parking brake.
Dolly Towing from the Rear
Caution
To w i n g t h e v e h i c l e f r o m t h e r e a r
could damage it. Also, repairs
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Never have the
vehicle towed from the rear.
Appearance Care
Exterior Care
Locks
Locks are lubricated at the factory.Use a de-icing agent only whenabsolutely necessary, and have thelocks greased after using. SeeRecommended Fluids andLubricants0300.
Washing the Vehicle
To p r e s e r v e t h e v e h i c l e ' s f i n i s h ,wash it often and out of directsunlight.
Caution
Do not use petroleum-based,
acidic, or abrasive cleaning
agents as they can damage the
vehicle's paint, metal, or plastic
parts. If damage occurs, it would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Approved cleaning
products can be obtained from
(Continued)
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Service and Maintenance 291
the oil life system must be reset.Yo u r t r a i n e d d e a l e r t e c h n i c i a n c a nperform this work. If the engine oillife system is reset accidentally,service the vehicle within 5 000 km/3,000 mi since the last service.Reset the oil life system when theoil is changed. SeeEngine Oil LifeSystem0222.
Tire Rotation and Required
Services Every 12 000 km/
7,500 mi
Rotate the tires, if recommended forthe vehicle, and perform thefollowing services. SeeTireRotation0261.
.Check engine oil level and oillife percentage. If needed,change engine oil and filter, andreset oil life system. SeeEngineOil0220andEngine Oil LifeSystem0222.
.Check engine coolant level. SeeEngine Coolant0227.
.Check windshield washer fluidlevel. SeeWasher Fluid0231.
.Visually inspect windshield wiperblades for wear, cracking,or contamination. SeeExteriorCare0280.Replacewornordamaged wiper blades. SeeWiper BladeReplacement0236.
.Check tire inflation pressures.SeeTire Pressure0256.
.Inspect tire wear. SeeTireInspection0260.
.Visually check for fluid leaks.
.Inspect engine air cleaner filter.SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter0224.
.Inspect brake system. SeeExterior Care0280.
.Visually inspect steering,suspension, and chassiscomponents for damaged, loose,or missing parts or signs ofwear. SeeExterior Care0280.
.Check restraint systemcomponents. SeeSafety SystemCheck064.
.Visually inspect fuel system fordamage or leaks.
.Visually inspect exhaust systemand nearby heat shields forloose or damaged parts.
.Lubricate body components. SeeExterior Care0280.
.Check starter switch. SeeStarterSwitch Check0234.
.Check automatic transmissionshift lock control function. SeeAutomatic Transmission ShiftLock Control FunctionCheck0235.
.Check ignition transmission lock.SeeIgnition Transmission LockCheck0235.
.Check parking brake andautomatic transmission parkmechanism. SeePark Brake andP(Park)MechanismCheck0236.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Service and Maintenance 295
Maintenance ScheduleAdditional RequiredServices - Severe
12 000 km/7,500 mi24 000 km/15,000 mi36 000 km/22,500 mi48 000 km/30,000 mi60 000 km/37,500 mi72 000 km/45,000 mi84 000 km/52,500 mi96 000 km/60,000 mi108 000 km/67,500 mi120 000 km/75,000 mi132 000 km/82,500 mi144 000 km/90,000 mi156 000 km/97,500 mi168 000 km/105,000 mi180 000 km/112,500 mi192 000 km/120,000 mi204 000 km/127,500 mi216 000 km/135,000 mi228 000 km/142,500 mi240 000 km/150,000 mi
Rotate tires and perform Required Services.Check engine oil level and oil life percentage.Change engine oil and filter, if needed.@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Replace passenger compartment air filter. (1)@@@@@@
Inspect evaporative control system. (2)@@@
Replace engine air cleaner filter. (3)@@@
Change automatic transmission fluid.@@@
Change manual transmission fluid.@@@
Replace spark plugs. Inspect spark plug wires.(1.8L Engine)@
Replace spark plugs. Inspect spark plug wires.(1.4L Engine)@@
Drain and fill engine cooling system. (4)@
Visually inspect accessory drive belts. (5)@
1.8L Engine Only: Replace timing belt, idlerpulley, and timing belt tensioner. (6)@
Replace brake/clutch fluid. (6)
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
300 Service and Maintenance
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part number, or specification can be obtained from your dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil Engine oil meeting the dexos1™specification of the proper SAE viscositygrade. ACDelco dexos1 Synthetic Blend is recommended. SeeEngineOil0220.
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL®Coolant.SeeEngine Coolant0227.
Hydraulic Brake/Clutch System DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid (GM Part No. 19299818, inCanada 19299819).
Windshield Washer Automotive windshield washer fluid that meets regional freeze protectionrequirements.
Automatic Transmission DEXRON®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Manual Transmission Manual Transmission Fluid (GM Part No. 19259104, in Canada 19259105).
Chassis Lubrication and ManualTransmission Shift LinkageChassis Lubricant (GM Part No. 12377985, in Canada 88901242) orlubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Hood Latch Assembly, SecondaryLatch, Pivots, Spring Anchor, andRelease Pawl
Lubriplate Lubricant Aerosol (GM Part No. 89021668, in Canada 89021674)or lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Key Lock Cylinders and Hood andDoor HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. 12346241, inCanada 10953474).
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
332 Index
Assistance Program,
Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Audio
Theft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . . 142
Automatic
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Automatic Transmission
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Shift Lock Control Function
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Auxiliary
Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Avoiding Untrusted Media
Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
B
Battery
Exterior Lighting Battery
Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Battery - North America . . . . 234, 275
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . . . 236
Bluetooth
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155, 157
Brake
System Warning Light . . . . . . . . .114
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 181
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Headlamps and Front Turn
Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . . . 241
Ta i l l a m p s , T u r n S i g n a l ,
Stoplamps, and Back-up
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
California
Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . 208
California (cont'd)
Perchlorate Materials
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
California
Proposition
65 Warning . . . . . . . . . .213, 234, 275
Camera
Rear Vision (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . 2
Capacities and
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Carbon Monoxide
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Cargo
Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Caution, Danger, and Warning . . . . 3
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . 112
Check
Ignition Transmission Lock . . . 235
Malfunction Indicator
Engine Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Child Restraints
Infants and Young Children . . . . . 79
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
334 Index
Driving (cont'd)
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 178
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
E
Electrical Equipment,
Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Electrical System
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 242
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Emergency
OnStar®...................... 322
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Check and Service Engine
Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 217
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Coolant Temperature
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Engine (cont'd)
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Oil Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Reduced Power Light . . . . . . . . . 120
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 190
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 319
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Extender, Safety Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 134
Exterior Lighting Battery
Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
F
Filter,
Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 136
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 223
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Frequency Statement
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Front Fog Lamp
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Front Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Front Seats
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . .119
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Index 337
Maintenance Schedule (cont'd)
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . 112
Manual Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Manual Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Media
Avoiding Untrusted Devices . . 149
Messages
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Mirrors
Convex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Folding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Manual Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Monitor System, Tire
Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Multi-band Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
N
Navigation
OnStar®...................... 323
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . 181
O
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Off-Road
Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Oil
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 222
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Older Children, Restraints . . . . . . . 77
Online Owner Center . . . . . . . . . . . 310
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
OnStar®Additional
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326
OnStar®Connections . . . . . . . . . . . 323
OnStar®Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
OnStar®Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
OnStar®Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
OnStar®Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
OnStar®Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Operate Pedal Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Operation
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Operation (cont'd)
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . 144
Ordering
Service Publications . . . . . . . . . . 316
Outlets
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Overheating, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Owner Manual Indicator . . . . . . . . 114
P
Park
Shifting Into . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Shifting Out of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 236
Extended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Over Things That Burn . . . . . . . 189
Ultrasonic Sensor Light . . . . . . . .116
Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Passenger Compartment Air
Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . 71
Perchlorate Materials
Requirements, California . . . . . . 213
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
340 Index
System
Forward Collision
Alert (FCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
T
Ta c h o m e t e r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0 9
Ta i l l a m p s
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Te x t Te l e p h o n e ( T T Y ) U s e r s . . . . 3 1 0
Theft-Deterrent Systems . . . . . . . . . 45
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
All-Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Compact Spare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Different Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Pressure Monitor Operation . . 258
Pressure Monitor System . . . . . 257
Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Tires (cont'd)
Te r m i n o l o g y a n d D e f i n i t i o n s . . 2 5 3
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 266
When It Is Time for New
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
To w i n g
General Information . . . . . . . . . . .211
Recreational Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 277
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Traction
Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak®Light . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Traction Control/Electronic
Stability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Trademarks and License
Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Transmission
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Fluid, Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Fluid, Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Transportation Program,
Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Trunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Trunk Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Turn Signal
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
U
Ultrasonic Parking Sensor
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . 264
Up-Shift Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
USB Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Using This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
V
Vehicle
Alarm System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Canadian Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Identification Number (VIN) . . . 303
Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Personalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Remote Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Service Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . .114