2017 CHEVROLET SONIC ESP

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Driving and Operating 177
clear roads in shaded areas.The surface of a curve or anoverpass can remain icy whenthe surrounding roads are clear.Avoid sudden steeringmaneuvers and braking whileon ice.
.Turn off cruise control.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place andsignal for help. Stay with the vehicleunless there is help nearby.If possible, use RoadsideAssistance. SeeRoadsideAssistance Program0311.Togethelp and keep everyone in thevehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warningflashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outsidemirror.
{Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust
under the vehicle. This may
cause exhaust gases to get
inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO), which
cannot be seen or smelled. It can
cause unconsciousness and even
death.
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
.Clear snow from the base ofthe vehicle, especially anyblocking the exhaust pipe.
.Open a window about 5 cm(2 in) on the vehicle sidethat is away from the wind,to bring in fresh air.
.Fully open the air outlets onor under the instrumentpanel.
.Adjust the climate controlsystem to circulate the airinside the vehicle and set
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
the fan speed to the highestsetting. See“ClimateControl Systems.”
For more information about CO,
seeEngine Exhaust0190.
To s a v e f u e l , r u n t h e e n g i n e f o rshort periods to warm the vehicleand then shut the engine off andpartially close the window. Movingabout to keep warm also helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive,when running the engine, push theaccelerator pedal slightly so theengine runs faster than the idlespeed. This keeps the batterycharged to restart the vehicle and tosignal for help with the headlamps.Do this as little as possible, tosave fuel.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
192 Driving and Operating
{Warning
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
Yo u c o u l d l o s e c o n t r o l a n d h i t
people or objects. Do not shift
into a drive gear while the engine
is running at high speed.
Caution
Shifting out of P (Park) or
N(Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle.
D:This position is for normaldriving. It provides the best fueleconomy. If you need more powerfor passing, and you are:
.Going less than 56 km/h(35 mph), push the acceleratorpedal about halfway down.
.Going about 56 km/h (35 mph) ormore, push the accelerator allthe way down.
M:This position allows you tochange gears similar to a manualtransmission. If equipped, see“Manual Mode”following.
Operating Modes
The transmission may operate in alower gear than normal to improvevehicle performance. The enginespeed may be higher and there maybe an increase in noise during thefollowing conditions:
.When climbing a grade.
.When driving downhill.
.When driving in hottemperatures or at high altitude.
Manual Mode
To u s e t h i s f e a t u r e , i f e q u i p p e d :
1. Move the shift lever fromD(Drive) rearward toM(Manual Mode).
While driving in manual mode,the transmission will remain inthe driver selected gear. Whencoming to a stop in the manualposition, the vehicle willautomatically shift into1(First) gear.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
196 Driving and Operating
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just holdthe brake pedal down firmly and letABS work. You may hear the ABSpump or motor operating and feelthe brake pedal pulsate. This isnormal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows you to steer and brakeat the same time. In manyemergencies, steering can helpmore than even the very bestbraking.
Parking Brake
To s e t t h e p a r k i n g b r a k e , h o l d t h ebrake pedal down and pull up on theparking brake lever. If the ignition ison, the brake system warning lightwill come on. SeeBrake SystemWarning Light011 4.
To r e l e a s e t h e p a r k i n g b r a k e , h o l dthe brake pedal down. Pull theparking brake lever up until you canpress the release button. Hold therelease button in as you move thebrake lever all the way down.
Caution
Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system
and cause premature wear or
damage to brake system parts.
Make sure that the parking brake
is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
Brake Assist
The Brake Assist feature isdesigned to assist the driver instopping or decreasing vehiclespeed in emergency drivingconditions. This feature uses thestability system hydraulic brakecontrol module to supplement thepower brake system underconditions where the driver hasquickly and forcefully applied thebrake pedal in an attempt to quicklystop or slow down the vehicle. Thestability system hydraulic brakecontrol module increases brakepressure at each corner of thevehicle until the ABS activates.Minor brake pedal pulsation orpedal movement during this time isnormal and the driver shouldcontinue to apply the brake pedal asthe driving situation dictates. TheBrake Assist feature willautomatically disengage when thebrake pedal is released or brakepedal pressure is quicklydecreased.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Driving and Operating 197
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
This vehicle has a Hill Start Assist(HSA) feature, which may be usefulwhen the vehicle is stopped on agrade sufficient enough to activateHSA. This feature is designed toprevent the vehicle from rolling,either forward or rearward, duringvehicle drive off. After the drivercompletely stops and holds thevehicle in a complete standstill on agrade, HSA will be automaticallyactivated. During the transitionperiod between when the driverreleases the brake pedal and startsto accelerate to drive off on a grade,HSA holds the braking pressure foramaximumoftwosecondstoensure that there is no rolling. Thebrakes will automatically releasewhen the accelerator pedal isapplied within the two-secondwindow. It will not activate if thevehicle is in a drive gear and facingdownhill, or if the vehicle is facinguphill and in R (Reverse).
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/
Electronic Stability
Control
System Operation
The vehicle has a Traction ControlSystem (TCS) and StabiliTrak®,anelectronic stability control system.These systems help limit wheel slipand assist the driver in maintainingcontrol, especially on slippery roadconditions.
TCS activates if it senses that anyof the drive wheels are spinning orbeginning to lose traction. When thishappens, TCS applies the brakes tothe spinning wheels and reducesengine power to limit wheel spin.
StabiliTrak activates when thevehicle senses a difference betweenthe intended path and the directionthe vehicle is actually traveling.StabiliTrak selectively appliesbraking pressure to any one of the
vehicle wheel brakes to assist thedriver in keeping the vehicle on theintended path.
If cruise control is being used andtraction control or StabiliTrak beginsto limit wheel spin, cruise control willdisengage. Cruise control may beturned back on when roadconditions allow.
Both systems come onautomatically when the vehicle isstarted and begins to move. Thesystems may be heard or felt whilethey are operating or whileperforming diagnostic checks. Thisis normal and does not mean thereis a problem with the vehicle.
It is recommended to leave bothsystems on for normal drivingconditions, but it may be necessaryto turn TCS off if the vehicle getsstuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.SeeIf the Vehicle Is Stuck0178and“Turning the Systems Off andOn”later in this section.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
200 Driving and Operating
RES/+ :If there is a set speed inmemory, move the thumbwheel upbriefly to resume to that speed orhold upward to accelerate. If cruisecontrol is already active, use toincrease vehicle speed.
SET/✓:Move the thumbwheel downbriefly to set the speed and activatecruise control. If cruise control isalready active, use to decreasespeed.
*:Press to disengage cruisecontrol without erasing the setspeed from memory.
Setting Cruise Control
If5is on when not in use, SET/- or
RES/+ could get bumped and gointo cruise when not desired. Keep5off when cruise control is notbeing used.
To s e t c r u i s e c o n t r o l :
1. Press5to turn the cruise
system on.
2. Get to the speed desired.
3. Move the thumbwheel down toSET/- and release it.
4. Take your foot off theaccelerator pedal.
The cruise control indicator on theinstrument cluster turns green aftercruise control has been set to thedesired speed. SeeInstrumentCluster0107.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at adesired speed and then the brakesor clutch for manual transmissions
are applied or*is pressed, the
cruise control is disengaged withouterasing the set speed from memory.
Once the vehicle reaches about40 km/h (25 mph) or more, move thethumbwheel up toward RES/+briefly. The vehicle returns to theprevious set speed.
Increasing Speed While UsingCruise Control
If the cruise control system isalready activated:
.Move the thumbwheel up towardRES/+ and hold it until thedesired speed is reached, thenrelease it.
.To i n c r e a s e t h e v e h i c l e s p e e d i nsmall increments, move thethumbwheel up toward RES/+briefly and then release it. Foreach press, the vehicle goesabout 1.6 km/h (1 mph) faster.
The speedometer reading can bedisplayed in either English or metricunits. SeeDriver Information Center(DIC)0121.Theincrementvalueused depends on the unitsdisplayed.
Reducing Speed While UsingCruise Control
If the cruise control system isalready activated:
.Move the thumbwheel towardSET/✓and hold until the desiredlower speed is reached, thenrelease it.
.To d e c r e a s e t h e v e h i c l e s p e e d i nsmaller increments, move thethumbwheel toward SET/✓briefly. For each press, thevehicle goes about 1.6 km/h(1 mph) slower.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
206 Driving and Operating
Selecting the Alert Timing
The Collision Alert control is on thesteering wheel. Press COLLISIONALERT to set the alert timing to far,medium, near or off. The first buttonpress shows the current controlsetting on the DIC. Additional buttonpresses will change this setting. Thechosen setting will remain until it ischanged and will affect both theCollision Alert and the TailgatingAlert features. The timing of bothalerts will vary based on vehiclespeed. The faster the vehicle speed,the farther away the alert will occur.Consider traffic and weatherconditions when selecting the alert
timing. The range of selectable alerttiming may not be appropriate for alldrivers and driving conditions.
Unnecessary Alerts
FCA may sometimes setunnecessary alerts to turningvehicles, vehicles in other lanes,objects that are not vehicles,or shadows. These alerts arenormal operation and the vehicledoes not need service.
Cleaning the System
If the FCA system does not seem tooperate properly, cleaning theoutside of the windshield in front ofthe rearview mirror may correct theissue.
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW)
If equipped, LDW may help avoidcrashes due to unintentional lanedepartures. It may provide an alert ifthe vehicle is crossing a lanewithout using a turn signal in thatdirection. LDW uses a camera
sensor to detect the lane markingsat speeds of 56 km/h (35 mph) orgreater.
{Warning
The LDW system does not steer
the vehicle. The LDW system
may not:
.Provide enough time toavoid a crash.
.Detect lane markings underpoor weather or visibilityconditions. This can occur ifthe windshield orheadlamps are blocked bydirt, snow, or ice; if they arenot in proper condition; or ifthe sun shines directly intothe camera.
.Detect road edges.
.Detect lanes on winding orhilly roads.
If LDW only detects lane
markings on one side of the road,
it will only warn you when
(Continued)

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
220 Vehicle Care
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter0224.
2. Engine Oil Dipstick. SeeEngine Oil0220.
3. Engine Cooling Fan (Out ofView). SeeCoolingSystem0226.
4. Engine Oil Fill Cap. SeeEngine Oil0220.
5. Engine Coolant Surge Tankand Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System0226.
6. Brake/Clutch Fluid Reservoir.SeeBrake Fluid0233andHydraulic Clutch0224.
7.Battery - North America0234.
8.Engine Compartment FuseBlock0243.
9. Windshield Washer FluidReservoir. SeeWasherFluid0231.
Engine Oil
To e n s u r e p r o p e r e n g i n eperformance and long life, carefulattention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, butimportant steps will help protectyour investment:
.Use engine oil approved to theproper specification and of theproper viscosity grade. See“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”in this section.
.Check the engine oil levelregularly and maintain theproper oil level. See“CheckingEngine Oil”and“When to AddEngine Oil”in this section.
.Change the engine oil at theappropriate time. SeeEngine OilLife System0222.
.Always dispose of engine oilproperly. See“What to Do withUsed Oil”in this section.
If the engine oil pressure lightcomes on, check the engine oil levelright away. The oil pressure light ison the instrument cluster. SeeEngine Oil Pressure Light011 8.Check the engine oil level regularly;this is an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly(every 650 km (400 mi), especiallyprior to a long trip. The engine oildipstick handle is a loop. SeeEngine Compartment Overview0217for the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.
If a low oil Driver Information Center(DIC) message displays, check theoil level.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
232 Vehicle Care
Caution (Continued)
.Do not mix water withready-to-use washer fluid.Water can cause thesolution to freeze anddamage the washer fluidtank and other parts of thewasher system.
.When using concentratedwasher fluid, follow themanufacturer instructions foradding water.
.Fill the washer fluid tankonly three-quarters full whenit is very cold. This allowsfor fluid expansion iffreezing occurs, which coulddamage the tank if it iscompletely full.
Brakes
Disc brake pads have built-in wearindicators that make a high-pitchedwarning sound when the brake padsare worn and new pads are needed.The sound can come and go or can
be heard all the time when thevehicle is moving, except whenapplying the brake pedal firmly.
{Warning
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
acrash.Whenthebrakewear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
Caution
Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climatescan cause a brake squeal when thebrakes are first applied or lightlyapplied. This does not meansomething is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts arenecessary to help prevent brakepulsation. When tires are rotated,inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel nuts in theproper sequence to torquespecifications. SeeCapacities andSpecifications0304.
Brake pads should be replaced ascomplete sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedaldoes not return to normal height,or if there is a rapid increase inpedal travel. This could be a signthat brake service may be required.
Replacing Brake System Parts
Always replace brake system partswith new, approved replacementparts. If this is not done, the brakesmay not work properly. The brakingperformance expected can changein many other ways if the wrongreplacement brake parts areinstalled or if parts are improperlyinstalled.