2017 CHEVROLET SONIC traction control

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
264 Vehicle Care
{Warning
Using bias-ply tires on the
vehicle may cause the wheel
rim flanges to develop cracks
after many miles of driving.
Atireand/orwheelcouldfail
suddenly and cause a crash.
Use only radial-ply tires with
the wheels on the vehicle.
If the vehicle tires must be
replaced with a tire that does not
have a TPC Spec number, make
sure they are the same size,
load range, speed rating, and
construction (radial) as the
original tires.
Vehicles that have a tire
pressure monitoring system
could give an inaccurate
low-pressure warning if non-TPC
Spec rated tires are installed.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor
System0257.
The Tire and Loading
Information label indicates the
original equipment tires on the
vehicle. SeeVehicle Load
Limits0178.
Different Size Tires and
Wheels
If wheels or tires are installed thatare a different size than the originalequipment wheels and tires, vehicleperformance, including its braking,ride and handling characteristics,stability, and resistance to rollovermay be affected. If the vehicle haselectronic systems such as antilockbrakes, rollover airbags, tractioncontrol, electronic stability control,or All-Wheel Drive, the performanceof these systems can also beaffected.
{Warning
If different sized wheels are used,
there may not be an acceptable
level of performance and safety if
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
tires not recommended for those
wheels are selected. This
increases the chance of a crash
and serious injury. Only use GM
specific wheel and tire systems
developed for the vehicle, and
have them properly installed by a
GM certified technician.
SeeBuying New Tires0263andAccessories andModifications0214.
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading
The following information relates
to the system developed by the
United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA), which grades tires by
treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This
applies only to vehicles sold in
the United States. The grades
are molded on the sidewalls of

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Vehicle Care 265
most passenger car tires. The
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQG) system does not apply
to deep tread, winter tires,
compact spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm),
or to some limited-production
tires.
While the tires available on
General Motors passenger cars
and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they
must also conform to federal
safety requirements and
additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.
Quality grades can be found
where applicable on the tire
sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AATemperature A
All Passenger Car Tires Must
Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements In Addition To
These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified government test
course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and
one-half (1Ω) times as well on
the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of
their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and
differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from
highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent
the tire's ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on
specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A
(the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance
to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Vehicle Care 267
Caution
The wrong wheel can also cause
problems with bearing life, brake
cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp
aim, bumper height, vehicle
ground clearance, and tire or tire
chain clearance to the body and
chassis.
Used Replacement Wheels
{Warning
Replacing a wheel with a used
one is dangerous. How it has
been used or how far it has been
driven may be unknown. It could
fail suddenly and cause a crash.
When replacing wheels, use a
new GM original equipment
wheel.
Tire Chains
{Warning
Do not use tire chains. There is
not enough clearance. Tire chains
used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can
cause damage to the brakes,
suspension, or other vehicle
parts. The area damaged by the
tire chains could cause loss of
control and a crash.
Use another type of traction
device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for the vehicle's
tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that
manufacturer's instructions. To
avoid vehicle damage, drive slow
and readjust or remove the
traction device if it contacts the
vehicle. Do not spin the wheels.
If traction devices are used, install
them on the front tires.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blow outwhile driving, especially if the tiresare maintained properly. SeeTires0248.Ifairgoesoutofatire,itismuch more likely to leak out slowly.But if there ever is a blowout, hereare a few tips about what to expectand what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tirecreates a drag that pulls the vehicletoward that side. Take your foot offthe accelerator pedal and grip thesteering wheel firmly. Steer tomaintain lane position, and thengently brake to a stop, well off theroad, if possible.
Arearblowout,particularlyonacurve, acts much like a skid andmay require the same correction asused in a skid. Stop pressing theaccelerator pedal and steer tostraighten the vehicle. It may bevery bumpy and noisy. Gently braketo a stop, well off the road,if possible.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
274 Vehicle Care
Compact Spare Tire
{Warning
Driving with more than one
compact spare tire at a time could
result in loss of braking and
handling. This could lead to a
crash and you or others could be
injured. Use only one compact
spare tire at a time.
If this vehicle has a compact sparetire, it was fully inflated when new;however, it can lose air over time.Check the inflation pressureregularly. It should be 420 kPa(60 psi).
Stop as soon as possible and checkthat the spare tire is correctlyinflated after being installed on thevehicle. The compact spare tire isdesigned for temporary use only.The vehicle will perform differentlywith the spare tire installed and it isrecommended that the vehiclespeed be limited to 80 km/h(50 mph). To conserve the tread ofthe spare tire, have the standard tire
repaired or replaced as soon asconvenient and return the spare tireto the storage area.
When using a compact spare tire,the AWD (if equipped), ABS, andTraction Control systems mayengage until the spare tire isrecognized by the vehicle,especially on slippery roads. Adjustdriving to reduce possiblewheel slip.
Caution
When the compact spare is
installed, do not take the vehicle
through an automatic car wash
with guide rails. The compact
spare can get caught on the rails
which can damage the tire, wheel,
and other parts of the vehicle.
Do not use the compact spare onother vehicles.
Do not mix the compact spare tire orwheel with other wheels or tires.They will not fit. Keep the spare tireand its wheel together.
Caution
Tire chains will not fit the compact
spare. Using them can damage
the vehicle and the chains. Do not
use tire chains on the compact
spare.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Index 333
Child Restraints (cont'd)
Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91, 93
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Cleaning
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . 166
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Clutch, Hydraulic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . 314
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Compartments
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Connections
OnStar®...................... 323
Control
Traction and Electronic
Stability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Coolant
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Engine Temperature
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Courtesy Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Courtesy Transportation
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Cover
Cargo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Te x t Te l e p h o n e ( T T Y )
Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
Customer Information
Service Publications
Ordering Information . . . . . . . . 316
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . 314
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . 3
Data Collection
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 320
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . 319
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Devices
Auxiliary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Diagnostics
OnStar®...................... 325
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Door
Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . 306
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Driving
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 24
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 176

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
336 Index
K
Keyless Entry
Remote (RKE) System . . . . . 29, 31
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . . . 250
Lamps
Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . 135
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Exterior Lighting Battery
Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
License Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Malfunction Indicator . . . . . . . . . .112
On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Lane Departure Warning
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
LATCH System
Replacing Parts after a
Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
LATCH, Lower Anchors and
Te t h e r s f o r C h i l d r e n . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 4
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Lighting
Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Brake System Warning . . . . . . . .114
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Engine Coolant
Te m p e r a t u r e W a r n i n g . . . . . . . . 11 8
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . .118
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Front Fog Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
High-Beam On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 134
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Lane Departure Warning . . . . . . .116
Low Fuel Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Operate Pedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Reduced Engine Power . . . . . . 120
Safety Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . .110
Service Vehicle Soon . . . . . . . . . .114
StabiliTrak®OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Lights (cont'd)
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak®...........117
Traction Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Trunk Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Ultrasonic Parking Sensor . . . . .116
Up-Shift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Warning, Power Steering . . . . . . 115
Load Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Locks
Automatic Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . 119
Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children (LATCH
System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
M
Maintenance
Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Maintenance and Care
Additional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . 290

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