
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Driving and Operating 171
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 172Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 173Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 174Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 175Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 176Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 178Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 181Ignition Positions (KeyAccess) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182Ignition Positions (KeylessAccess) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 185Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186Retained AccessoryPower (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Shifting Into Park (AutomaticTransmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187Shifting out of Park (AutomaticTransmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189Parking over ThingsThat Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 191Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Manual Transmission
Manual Transmission . . . . . . . . . 193
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . 197
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/ElectronicStability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Driver Assistance Systems
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . 201Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203Forward Collision Alert (FCA)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204Lane DepartureWarning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 208Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information . . . 211
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On ElectricalEquipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Driving and Operating 183
Caution
Using a tool to force the key to
turn in the ignition could cause
damage to the switch or break the
key. Use the correct key, make
sure it is all the way in, and turn it
only with your hand. If the key
cannot be turned by hand, see
your dealer.
1(ACC/ACCESSORY):This is theposition in which things like theradio and the windshield wipers canbe operated when the engine is off.
2(ON/RUN):This position can beused to operate the electricalaccessories and to display someinstrument cluster warning andindicator lights. This position canalso be used for service anddiagnostics, and to verify the properoperation of the malfunctionindicator lamp as may be requiredfor emission inspection purposes.The switch stays in this positionwhen the engine is running.
If you leave the key in the ACC/ACCESSORY or ON/RUN positionwith the engine off, the battery couldbe drained. You may not be able tostart the vehicle if the battery isallowed to drain for an extendedperiod of time.
3(START):This is the position thatstarts the engine. When the enginestarts, release the key. The ignitionswitch returns to ON/RUN fordriving.
Awarningtonewillsoundwhenthedriver door is opened, the ignition isin ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF, and the key is in the ignition.If the ignition becomes difficult toturn, seeKeys026.
Ignition Positions
(Keyless Access)
The vehicle may be equipped withan electronic keyless ignition withpushbutton start.
Pressing the button cycles it throughthree modes: ACC/ACCESSORY,ON/RUN/START, and Stopping theEngine/OFF.
The transmitter must be in thevehicle for the system to operate.If the pushbutton start is notworking, the vehicle may be near astrong radio antenna signal causinginterference to the Keyless Access

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
184 Driving and Operating
system. SeeRemote Keyless Entry(RKE) System Operation (KeylessAccess)031orRemote KeylessEntry (RKE) System Operation (KeyAccess)029.
To s h i f t o u t o f P ( P a r k ) , t h e v e h i c l emust be in ACC/ACCESSORY orON/RUN and the brake pedal mustbe applied.
Stopping the Engine/OFF (NoIndicator Lights) :When thevehicle is stopped, press ENGINESTART/STOP once to turn theengine off.
If the vehicle is in P (Park), theignition will turn off, and RetainedAccessory Power (RAP) will remainactive. SeeRetained AccessoryPower (RAP)0187.
If the vehicle is not in P (Park), theignition will return to ACC/ACCESSORY and the DriverInformation Center (DIC) will displaythe message SHIFT TO PARK. SeeVehicle Messages0126.Whenthevehicle is shifted into P (Park), theignition system will switch to OFF.
Do not turn the engine off when thevehicle is moving. This will cause aloss of power assist in the brakeand steering systems and disablethe airbags.
If the vehicle must be shut off in anemergency:
1. Brake using a firm and steadypressure. Do not pump thebrakes repeatedly. This maydeplete power assist, requiringincreased brake pedal force.
2. Shift the vehicle to N (Neutral).This can be done while thevehicle is moving. After shiftingto N (Neutral), firmly apply thebrakes and steer the vehicle toasafelocation.
3. Come to a complete stop. Shiftto P (Park) with an automatictransmission, or Neutral with amanual transmission. Turn theignition to LOCK/OFF.
4. Set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake0196.
{Warning
Turning off the vehicle while
moving may cause loss of power
assist in the brake and steering
systems and disable the airbags.
While driving, only shut the
vehicle off in an emergency.
If the vehicle cannot be pulled over,and must be shut off while driving,press and hold ENGINE START/STOP for longer than two seconds,or press twice in five seconds.
ACC/ACCESSORY (AmberIndicator Light) :This mode allowsyou to use some electricalaccessories when the engine is off.
With the ignition off, pressing thebutton one time without the brakepedal applied will place the ignitionsystem in ACC/ACCESSORY.
The ignition will switch from ACC/ACCESSORY to OFF afterfive minutes to prevent batteryrundown.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Driving and Operating 189
If the vehicle has an unchargedbattery or a battery with low voltage,try charging or jump starting thebattery. SeeJump Starting - NorthAmerica0275.
To s h i f t o u t o f P ( P a r k ) :
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN.
3. Press the shift lever button.
4. Move the shift lever to thedesired position.
If still unable to shift out of P (Park):
1. Fully release the shift leverbutton.
2. Hold the brake pedal down andpress the shift lever buttonagain.
3. Move the shift lever to thedesired position.
If you still cannot move the shiftlever from P (Park), consult yourdealer or a professional towingservice.
The doors may lock when shiftingfrom P (Park). SeeAutomatic DoorLocks040.
Parking
If the vehicle has a manualtransmission, before getting out ofthe vehicle, move the shift lever intoR(Reverse) if parking on a downhillslope. On a level surface or anuphill slope, use 1 (First) gear.Firmly apply the parking brake. Turnthe wheels toward the curb for adownhill slope, or away from thecurb for an uphill slope. Once theshift lever has been placed into gearwith the clutch pedal pressed in,turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF,remove the key, and release theclutch.
Parking over Things
That Burn
{Warning
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the
vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn.
Extended Parking
It is better not to park with thevehicle running. If the vehicle is leftwhile running, follow the propersteps to be sure the vehicle will notmove and there is adequateventilation. SeeShifting Into Park(Automatic Transmission)0187andEngine Exhaust0190.
If the vehicle is left in P (Park) whilerunning and the Remote KeylessEntry (RKE) transmitter is outsidethe vehicle, the vehicle will turn offafter one hour.
If the vehicle is left in P (Park) whilerunning and the RKE transmitter isinside, the vehicle will run for twohours. At the end of the secondhour, the vehicle will turn off.
The timer will reset if the vehicle istaken out of P (Park) while it isrunning.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Vehicle Care 213
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 274
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - NorthAmerica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Towing the Vehicle
To w i n g t h e V e h i c l e . . . . . . . . . . . 2 7 7Recreational VehicleTo w i n g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 7 7
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
General Information
For service and parts needs, visityour dealer. You will receivegenuine GM parts and GM-trainedand supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one ofthese marks:
California Proposition
65 Warning
WARNING:Most motor vehicles,including this one, as well as manyof its service parts and fluids,contain and/or emit chemicalsknown to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects orother reproductive harm. Engineexhaust, many parts and systems,many fluids, and some componentwear by-products contain and/oremit these chemicals.
SeeBattery - North America0234andJump Starting - NorthAmerica0275.
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotiveapplications, such as airbaginitiators, safety belt pretensioners,and lithium batteries contained inRemote Keyless Entry transmitters,may contain perchlorate materials.Special handling may be necessary.For additional information, seewww.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
260 Vehicle Care
See your dealer for service or topurchase a relearn tool. A TPMSrelearn tool can also be purchased.See Tire Pressure Monitor SensorActivation Tool atwww.gmtoolsandequipment.com orcall 1-800-GM TOOLS(1-800-468-6657).
There are two minutes to match thefirst tire/wheel position, andfive minutes overall to match all fourtire/wheel positions. If it takeslonger, the matching process stopsand must be restarted.
The TPMS sensor matchingprocess is:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUNwith the engine off or place thevehicle power mode in ON/RUN/START. SeeIgnitionPositions (Key Access)0182orIgnition Positions (KeylessAccess)0183.
3. Press the MENU button todisplay the menu items in theDriver InformationCenter (DIC).
4. Use the thumbwheel to scroll tothe Tire Learn menu itemscreen.
5. Press and hold the SET/CLRbutton to begin the sensormatching process.
Amessagerequestingacceptance of the process maydisplay.
6. The horn sounds twice tosignal the receiver is in relearnmode and the TIRE LEARNmessage may display on theDIC screen.
7. Start with the driver sidefront tire.
8. Place the relearn tool againstthe tire sidewall, near the valvestem. Then press the button toactivate the TPMS sensor.Ahornchirpconfirmsthatthesensor identification code hasbeen matched to this tire andwheel position.
9. Proceed to the passenger sidefront tire, and repeat theprocedure in Step 8.
10. Proceed to the passenger siderear tire, and repeat theprocedure in Step 8.
11 . P r o c e e d t o t h e d r i v e r s i d e r e a rtire, and repeat the procedurein Step 8. The horn sounds twotimes to indicate the sensoridentification code has beenmatched to the driver side reartire, and the TPMS sensormatching process is no longeractive. The TIRE LEARNmessage on the DIC displayscreen goes off.
12. Turn the vehicle off.
13. Set all four tires to therecommended air pressurelevel as indicated on the Tireand Loading Information label.
Tire Inspection
We recommend that the tires,
including the spare tire, if the
vehicle has one, be inspected
for signs of wear or damage at
least once a month.

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
338 Index
Personalization
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Phone
Apple CarPlay and
Android Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155, 157
Hands-Free . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Port
USB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Power
Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Reduced Engine Light . . . . . . . . 120
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . 187
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Power Steering Warning
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Pregnancy, Using Safety Belts . . . 63
Privacy
Vehicle Data Recording . . . . . . . 318
Program
Courtesy Transportation . . . . . . 313
Proposition
65 Warning,
California . . . . . . . . . . . .213, 234, 275
R
Radio Frequency Statement . . . . 317
Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Radios
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Satellite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . 201
Rear Window Washer/Wiper . . . . 103
Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Records
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . 277
Reduced Engine Power Light . . . 120
Reimbursement Program,
GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . 28, 29, 31
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Replacement Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Replacement Parts
Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . . . 77
Replacing LATCH System
Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Replacing Safety Belt System
Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government . . . . . . . . 318
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Restraints
Where to Put . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Roads
Driving, Wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Roadside Assistance
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
Roof
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Rotation, Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Routing, Engine Drive Belt . . . . . . 306
Running the Vehicle While
Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
S
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60