Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
168 Climate Controls
To a l l o w o u t s i d e a i r t o e n t e r i n t h e s econditions, press the recirculationbutton twice. The recirculationindicator will not be lit.
MorL:If equipped, press to heatthe driver or passenger seat. SeeHeated Front Seats056.
Rear Window and Outside
Mirror Defogger
1:Press to turn the rear windowand outside mirror defogger on oroff. An indicator light comes on toshow that the feature is on.
The rear window defogger can be
turned off by pressing1again or
by turning the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF.
If equipped with heated outsiderearview mirrors, they turn on withthe rear window defogger and helpto clear fog or frost from the surfaceof the mirror. SeeHeatedMirrors047.
Caution
Using a razor blade or sharp
object on the inside rear window
can damage the antenna or
defogger. Repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Do not stick anything to the rear
window.
Air Vents
Use the air vents located in thecenter and on the side of theinstrument panel to direct theairflow. Move the slats on the centerair vents to direct airflow.
Turn the knobs on the side air ventscounterclockwise or clockwise toopen or close off the airflow.
Operation Tips
.Clear away any ice, snow,or leaves from the air inlets atthe base of the windshield thatmay block the flow of air into thevehicle.
.Use of non-GM approved hooddeflectors may adversely affectthe performance of the system.
.Keep the path under the frontseats clear of objects to helpcirculate the air inside thevehicle more effectively.
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
Driving and Operating 205
Warning (Continued)
closely, FCA may not provide a
warning with enough time to help
avoid a crash. It also may not
provide any warning at all. FCA
does not warn of pedestrians,
animals, signs, guardrails,
bridges, construction barrels,
or other objects. Be ready to take
action and apply the brakes. See
Defensive Driving0172.
FCA can be disabled with the FCAsteering wheel control.
Detecting the Vehicle Ahead
FCA warnings will not occur unlessthe FCA system detects a vehicleahead. When a vehicle is detected,the vehicle ahead indicator willdisplay green. Vehicles may not be
detected on curves, highway exitramps, or hills, due to poor visibility;or if a vehicle ahead is partiallyblocked by pedestrians or otherobjects. FCA will not detect anothervehicle ahead until it is completelyin the driving lane.
{Warning
FCA does not provide a warning
to help avoid a crash, unless it
detects a vehicle. FCA may not
detect a vehicle ahead if the FCA
sensor is blocked by dirt, snow,
or ice, or if the windshield is
damaged. It may also not detect a
vehicle on winding or hilly roads,
or in conditions that can limit
visibility such as fog, rain,
or snow, or if the headlamps or
windshield are not cleaned or in
proper condition. Keep the
windshield, headlamps, and FCA
sensors clean and in good repair.
Collision Alert
When your vehicle approachesanother detected vehicle too rapidly,the red FCA display on top of theinstrument panel to the right of thesteering wheel will flash. Also,several rapid high-pitched beeps willsound from the front. When thisCollision Alert occurs, the brakesystem may prepare for driverbraking to occur more rapidly whichcan cause a brief, mild deceleration.Continue to apply the brake pedalas needed. Cruise control may bedisengaged when the Collision Alertoccurs.
Tailgating Alert
The red FCA display will staycontinuously illuminated when youare following a detected vehicleahead much too closely.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
212 Vehicle Care
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 213California Proposition65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213California PerchlorateMaterials Requirements . . . . . 213Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your OwnService Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215Engine CompartmentOverview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . 222Automatic TransmissionFluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223Manual Transmission Fluid . . . 224Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . 224Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . 230Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Battery - North America . . . . . . 234Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . 234Automatic Transmission ShiftLock Control FunctionCheck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235Ignition Transmission LockCheck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235Park Brake and P (Park)Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . 236Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . 236
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 238Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238Headlamps and Front TurnSignal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239Ta i l l a m p s , T u r n S i g n a l ,Stoplamps, and Back-UpLamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . 241Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . 242Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 242Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Instrument Panel FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . 250Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252Tire Terminology andDefinitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256Tire Pressure MonitorSystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257Tire Pressure MonitorOperation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261When It Is Time for NewTires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263Different Size Tires andWheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264Uniform Tire QualityGrading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264Wheel Alignment and TireBalance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . 266Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Vehicle Care 215
Keep a record with all parts receiptsand list the mileage and the date ofany service work performed. SeeMaintenance Records0302.
Caution
Even small amounts of
contamination can cause damage
to vehicle systems. Do not allow
contaminants to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Hood
To o p e n t h e h o o d :
1. Pull the hood release handleinside the vehicle. It is locatedon the lower left side of theinstrument panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicleand move the secondary hoodrelease lever toward the rightside of the vehicle.
3. Lift the hood and release thehood prop from its retainer,located in front of the enginecompartment. Securely placethe hood prop into the slot onthe underside of the hood.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
246 Vehicle Care
Mini Fuses Usage
36 Right high-beamheadlamp
*=Ifequipped
J-CaseFusesUsage
1Frontwipers
2ABSpump
3Blower
4Run/CrankIEC
5Powerseat
6CoolingfanK4
7CoolingfanK5
9EVP
10 Start
*=Ifequipped
Relays Usage
RLY 1 Front wiper control
RLY 2* Rear fog lamp
RLY 3 Front wiper speed
RLY 4 Rear defogger
Relays Usage
RLY 5 Run/Crank
RLY 9 Cooling fan K2
RLY 10 Cooling fan K3
RLY 11 P/T
RLY 12 Start
RLY 13 A/C clutch
RLY 14 High-beamheadlamps
RLY 15 Cooling fan K1
*=Ifequipped
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block
The instrument panel fuse block ison the underside of the driver sideinstrument panel.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/19/16
Vehicle Care 247
The vehicle may not be equippedwith all of the fuses, relays, andfeatures shown.
Fuses Usage
DLIS Discrete logicignition switch
DLC Data link connector
SDM Sensing anddiagnostic module
L/GATE Liftgate
PWRWNDWREAR
Rear powerwindow
BCM8 Body controlmodule 8
BCM7 Body controlmodule 7
BCM6 Body controlmodule 6
BCM5 Body controlmodule 5
BCM4 Body controlmodule 4
BCM3 Body controlmodule 3
BCM2 Body controlmodule 2
Fuses Usage
BCM1 Body controlmodule 1
IPC Instrument panelcluster
TELE-MATICSTe l e m a t i c s
PA S / S B S A P a r k i n g a s s i s tsystem/Side blindspot alert system
RAIN SNSR Rain sensing wiper
AUDIO Audio
TRAILER1 Trailer 1
LDW/FCA Lane departurewarning/Frontcollision alert
CGM Central gatewaymodule
HVAC1 HVAC 1
HLLD SW Automaticheadlamp levelingswitch
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/19/16
248 Vehicle Care
FusesUsage
IPC/AOS Instrument panelcluster/Automaticoccupant sensingdisplay
SPARE–
RUN RELAY Run relay
L/GATERELAYLiftgate relay
IRAP RELAY IRAP Relay
TRAILER2 Trailer hitch 2
CLOCK-SPRINGClock spring
HVAC2 HVAC 2
HTDSTR WHLHeated steeringwheel
SPARE–
S/ROOF SW Sunroof switch
CIGAR APO Cigar auxiliarypower outlet
FusesUsage
ESCL Electric steeringcolumn lock
RAP/ACCYRELAYRetainedaccessory power/Accessory Relay
PWR WNDWFRONTFront powerwindows
IRAP ACCY IRAP accessory
BATTCON-NECTOR
Battery connector
Wheels and Tires
Tires
Every new GM vehicle has
high-quality tires made by a
leading tire manufacturer. See
the warranty manual for
information regarding the tire
warranty and where to get
service. For additional
information refer to the tire
manufacturer.
{Warning
.Poorly maintained and
improperly used tires are
dangerous.
.Overloading the tires can
cause overheating as a
result of too much
flexing. There could be a
blowout and a serious
crash. SeeVehicle Load
Limits0178.
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