Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Vehicle Care 279
The vehicle was not designed to betowed with all four wheels on theground. If the vehicle must betowed, a dolly should be used. Seethe information on dolly towing laterin this section.
Dinghy Towing All except RS
Model with Automatic
Transmission
When dinghy towing a vehicle withan automatic transmission, thevehicle should be run at thebeginning of each day and at eachRV fuel stop for about five minutes.This will ensure proper lubrication oftransmission components.
To d i n g h y t o w t h e v e h i c l e f r o m t h efront with all four wheels on theground:
1. Position the vehicle to tow andthen secure it to the towingvehicle.
2. Shift the automatictransmission to P (Park) or amanual transmission into1(First) gear and turn theignition to LOCK/OFF.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. To prevent the battery fromdraining while the vehicle isbeing towed, remove the DLISfuse from the instrument panelfuse block. SeeInstrumentPanel Fuse Block0246.
5. Turn the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY.
6. Shift an automatic transmissionto N (Neutral) or a manualtransmission to Neutral.
7. Release the parking brake.
Reinstall the DLIS fuse once thedestination has been reached.
Caution
If 105 km/h (65 mph) is exceeded
while towing the vehicle, it could
be damaged. Never exceed
105 km/h (65 mph) while towing
the vehicle.
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.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Vehicle Care 287
Instrument Panel, Leather,
Vinyl, Other Plastic Surfaces,
Low Gloss Paint Surfaces, and
Natural Open Pore Wood
Surfaces
Use a soft microfiber clothdampened with water to removedust and loose dirt. For a morethorough cleaning, use a softmicrofiber cloth dampened with amild soap solution.
Caution
Soaking or saturating leather,
especially perforated leather, as
well as other interior surfaces,
may cause permanent damage.
Wipe excess moisture from these
surfaces after cleaning and allow
them to dry naturally. Never use
heat, steam, or spot removers. Do
not use cleaners that contain
silicone or wax-based products.
Cleaners containing these
solvents can permanently change
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
the appearance and feel of
leather or soft trim, and are not
recommended.
Do not use cleaners that increasegloss, especially on the instrumentpanel. Reflected glare can decreasevisibility through the windshieldunder certain conditions.
Caution
Use of air fresheners may cause
permanent damage to plastics
and painted surfaces. If an air
freshener comes in contact with
any plastic or painted surface in
the vehicle, blot immediately and
clean with a soft cloth dampened
with a mild soap solution.
Damage caused by air fresheners
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Cargo Cover and
Convenience Net
Wash with warm water and milddetergent. Do not use chlorinebleach. Rinse with cold water, andthen dry completely.
Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
{Warning
Do not bleach or dye safety belt
webbing. It may severely weaken
the webbing. In a crash, they
might not be able to provide
adequate protection. Clean and
rinse safety belt webbing only
with mild soap and lukewarm
water. Allow the webbing to dry.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Technical Data 303
Technical Data
Vehicle Identification
Vehicle IdentificationNumber (VIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303Service Parts IdentificationLabel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Vehicle Data
Capacities andSpecifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304Engine Drive Belt Routing . . . . 306
Vehicle Identification
Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN)
This legal identifier is in the frontcorner of the instrument panel, onthe driver side of the vehicle. It canbe seen through the windshield fromoutside. The Vehicle IdentificationNumber (VIN) also appears on theVehicle Certification and ServiceParts labels and certificates of titleand registration.
Engine Identification
The eighth character in the VIN isthe engine code. This codeidentifies the vehicle's engine,specifications, and replacementparts. See“Engine Specifications”underCapacities and Specifications0304for the vehicle's engine code.
Service Parts
Identification Label
This label, in the spare tire well inthe trunk, has the followinginformation:
.Vehicle IdentificationNumber (VIN).
.Model designation.
.Paint information.
.Production options and specialequipment.
Do not remove this label from thevehicle.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
308 Customer Information
resolved by your dealership withoutfurther help, in the U.S., call theChevrolet Customer AssistanceCenter at 1-800-222-1020. InCanada, call General Motors ofCanada Customer Care Centre at1-800-263-3777 (English),or 1-800-263-7854 (French).
We encourage you to call thetoll-free number in order to give yourinquiry prompt attention. Have thefollowing information available togive the Customer Assistancerepresentative:
.Vehicle IdentificationNumber (VIN). This is availablefrom the vehicle registration ortitle, or the plate at the top left ofthe instrument panel and visiblethrough the windshield.
.Dealership name and location.
.Vehicle delivery date andpresent mileage.
When contacting Chevrolet,remember that your concern willlikely be resolved at a dealer'sfacility. That is why we suggestfollowing Step One first.
STEP THREE—U.S. Owners :Both General Motors and yourdealer are committed to makingsure you are completely satisfiedwith your new vehicle. However,if you continue to remain unsatisfiedafter following the procedureoutlined in Steps One and Two, youcan file with the Better BusinessBureau (BBB) Auto Line®Programto enforce your rights.
The BBB Auto Line Program is anout-of-court program administeredby the Council of Better BusinessBureaus to settle automotivedisputes regarding vehicle repairs orthe interpretation of the New VehicleLimited Warranty. Although you maybe required to resort to this informaldispute resolution program prior tofiling a court action, use of theprogram is free of charge and yourcase will generally be heard within40 days. If you do not agree with thedecision given in your case, youmay reject it and proceed with anyother venue for relief availableto you.
Yo u m a y c o n t a c t t h e B B B A u t o L i n eProgram using the toll-freetelephone number or write them atthe following address:
BBB Auto Line ProgramCouncil of Better Business Bureaus,Inc.3033 Wilson BoulevardSuite 600Arlington, VA 22201
Te l e p h o n e : 1 - 8 0 0 - 9 5 5 - 5 1 0 0http://www.bbb.org/council/programs-services/dispute-handling-and-resolution/bbb-auto-line
This program is available in all50 states and the District ofColumbia. Eligibility is limited byvehicle age, mileage, and otherfactors. General Motors reservesthe right to change eligibilitylimitations and/or discontinue itsparticipation in this program.
STEP THREE—CanadianOwners :In the event that you donot feel your concerns have beenaddressed after following theprocedure outlined in Steps Oneand Two, General Motors of Canada
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 335
Fuel (cont'd)
Requirements, California . . . . . 208
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 242
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
G
Gauges
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Ta c h o m e t e r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0 9
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Warning Lights and
Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
General Information
Service and Maintenance . . . . . 289
To w i n g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 11
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
GM Mobility Reimbursement
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Hands-Free Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . 136
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Headlamps
Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 120
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 134
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 120
Heated
Steering Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Heated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Heater
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . 176
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . 197
Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
HVAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Hydraulic Clutch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
I
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . 182, 183
Ignition Transmission Lock
Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Indicator
Owner Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Vehicle Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Infants and Young Children,
Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Infotainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Instrument Panel
Storage Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
J
Jump Starting - North
America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Index 339
Safety Belts (cont'd)
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Replacing after a Crash . . . . . . . . 65
Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . . . 63
Safety Defects Reporting
Canadian Government . . . . . . . . 318
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . . . 313
Seats
Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Heated Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Lumbar Adjustment, Front . . . . . . 54
Power Adjustment, Front . . . . . . . 54
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Securing Child Restraints . . . . 91, 93
Security
OnStar®...................... 322
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Vehicle Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Service (cont'd)
Accessories and
Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Climate Control System . . . . . . . 166
Doing Your Own Work . . . . . . . . 214
Engine Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . . 302
Maintenance, General
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Parts Identification Label . . . . . 303
Publications Ordering
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Scheduling Appointments . . . . . 313
Vehicle Soon Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Services
Special Application . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Servicing the Airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Shift Lock Control Function
Check, Automatic
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Shifting
Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Signals, Turn and
Lane-Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Spare Tire
Compact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Special Application Services . . . . 296
Specifications and
Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
StabiliTrak
OFF Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
Start Assist, Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Start Vehicle, Remote . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Heated Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Power, Warning Lights . . . . . . . . .115
Wheel Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Wheel Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Storage
Load Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Storage Areas
Cargo Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Glove Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Storage Compartments . . . . . . . . . . 97
Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Summer Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3