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Vehicle Care 259
Caution (Continued)
the GM approved tire sealant
available through your dealer or
included in the vehicle.
TPMS Malfunction Light
The TPMS will not function properlyif one or more of the TPMS sensorsare missing or inoperable. When thesystem detects a malfunction, thelow tire warning light flashes forabout one minute and then stays onfor the remainder of the ignitioncycle. The malfunction light comeson at each ignition cycle until theproblem is corrected. Some of theconditions that can cause this tocome on are:
.One of the road tires has beenreplaced with the spare tire. Thespare tire does not have aTPMS sensor. The malfunctionlight should go off after the roadtire is replaced and the sensormatching process is performed
successfully. See "TPMS SensorMatching Process" later in thissection.
.The TPMS sensor matchingprocess was not done or notcompleted successfully afterrotating the tires. Themalfunction light should go offafter successfully completing thesensor matching process. See"TPMS Sensor MatchingProcess" later in this section.
.One or more TPMS sensors aremissing or damaged. Themalfunction light should go offwhen the TPMS sensors areinstalled and the sensormatching process is performedsuccessfully. See your dealer forservice.
.Replacement tires or wheels donot match the original equipmenttires or wheels. Tires and wheelsother than those recommendedcould prevent the TPMS fromfunctioning properly. SeeBuyingNew Tires0263.
.Operating electronic devices orbeing near facilities using radiowave frequencies similar to theTPMS could cause the TPMSsensors to malfunction.
If the TPMS is not functioningproperly, it cannot detect or signal alow tire condition. See your dealerfor service if the TPMS malfunctionlight comes on and stays on.
TPMS Sensor Matching
Process
Each TPMS sensor has a uniqueidentification code. The identificationcode needs to be matched to a newtire/wheel position after rotating thetires or replacing one or more of theTPMS sensors. The TPMS sensormatching process should also beperformed after replacing a sparetire with a road tire containing theTPMS sensor. The malfunction lightshould go off at the next ignitioncycle. The sensors are matched tothe tire/wheel positions, using aTPMS relearn tool, in the followingorder: driver side front tire,passenger side front tire, passengerside rear tire, and driver side rear.
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.
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Vehicle Care 263
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched
specific tires for the vehicle. The
original equipment tires installed
were designed to meet General
Motors Tire Performance Criteria
Specification (TPC Spec)
system rating. When
replacement tires are needed,
GM strongly recommends
buying tires with the same TPC
Spec rating.
GM's exclusive TPC Spec
system considers over a dozen
critical specifications that impact
the overall performance of the
vehicle, including brake system
performance, ride and handling,
traction control, and tire
pressure monitoring
performance. GM's TPC Spec
number is molded onto the tire's
sidewall near the tire size. If the
tires have an all-season tread
design, the TPC Spec number
will be followed by MS for mud
and snow. SeeTire Sidewall
Labeling0250.
GM recommends replacing worn
tires in complete sets of four.
Uniform tread depth on all tires
will help to maintain the
performance of the vehicle.
Braking and handling
performance may be adversely
affected if all the tires are not
replaced at the same time.
If proper rotation and
maintenance have been done,
all four tires should wear out at
about the same time. SeeTire
Rotation0261.However,ifitis
necessary to replace only one
axle set of worn tires, place the
new tires on the rear axle.
Winter tires with the same speed
rating as the original equipment
tires may not be available for H,
V, W, Y a n d Z R s p e e d r a t e d
tires. Never exceed the winter
tires’maximum speed capability
when using winter tires with a
lower speed rating.
{Warning
Tires could explode during
improper service. Attempting
to mount or dismount a tire
could cause injury or death.
Only your dealer or authorized
tire service center should
mount or dismount the tires.
{Warning
Mixing tires of different sizes,
brands, or types may cause
loss of control of the vehicle,
resulting in a crash or other
vehicle damage. Use the
correct size, brand, and type
of tires on all wheels.
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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
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268 Vehicle Care
{Warning
Driving on a flat tire will cause
permanent damage to the tire.
Re-inflating a tire after it has been
driven on while severely
underinflated or flat may cause a
blowout and a serious crash.
Never attempt to re-inflate a tire
that has been driven on while
severely underinflated or flat.
Have your dealer or an authorized
tire service center repair or
replace the flat tire as soon as
possible.
{Warning
Lifting a vehicle and getting under
it to do maintenance or repairs is
dangerous without the
appropriate safety equipment and
training. If a jack is provided with
the vehicle, it is designed only for
changing a flat tire. If it is used for
anything else, you or others could
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
be badly injured or killed if the
vehicle slips off the jack. If a jack
is provided with the vehicle, only
use it for changing a flat tire.
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tireand wheel damage by driving slowlyto a level place, well off the road,if possible. Turn on the hazardwarning flashers. SeeHazardWarning Flashers0136.
{Warning
Changing a tire can be
dangerous. The vehicle can slip
off the jack and roll over or fall
causing injury or death. Find a
level place to change the tire. To
help prevent the vehicle from
moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
2. Put an automatictransmission in P (Park) or amanual transmission in1(First) or R(Reverse).
3. Turn off the engine and donot restart while the vehicleis raised.
4. Do not allow passengers toremain in the vehicle.
5. Place wheel blocks,if equipped, on both sides ofthe tire at the oppositecorner of the tire beingchanged.
When the vehicle has a flat tire (2),use the following example as aguide to assist in the placement ofthe wheel blocks (1), if equipped.
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Vehicle Care 277
{Warning
Fans or other moving engine
parts can injure you badly. Keep
your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
5. Connect one end of the redpositive (+) cable to thepositive (+) terminal on thedischarged battery.
6. Connect the other end of thered positive (+) cable to thepositive (+) terminal of the goodbattery.
7. Connect one end of the blacknegative (–)cabletothenegative (–)terminalofthegood battery.
8. Connect the other end of theblack negative (–)cabletothenegative (–)postforthedischarged battery.
9. Start the engine in the vehiclewith the good battery and runthe engine at idle speed for atleast four minutes.
10. Try to start the vehicle that hadthe dead battery. If it will notstart after a few tries, itprobably needs service.
Caution
If the jumper cables are
connected or removed in the
wrong order, electrical shorting
may occur and damage the
vehicle. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always connect and remove the
jumper cables in the correct order,
making sure that the cables do
not touch each other or other
metal.
Jumper Cable Removal
Reverse the sequence exactly whenremoving the jumper cables.
After starting the disabled vehicleand removing the jumper cables,allow it to idle for several minutes.
Towing the Vehicle
Caution
Incorrectly towing a disabled
vehicle may cause damage. The
damage would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Do not lash or hook to
suspension components. Use the
proper straps around the tires to
secure the vehicle.
Have the vehicle towed on a flatbedcar carrier. A wheel lift tow truckcould damage the vehicle.
Consult your dealer or aprofessional towing service if thedisabled vehicle must be towed.
Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Recreational vehicle towing meanstowing the vehicle behind anothervehicle, such as a motor home. Thetwo most common types ofrecreational vehicle towing are
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Service and Maintenance 289
Service and
Maintenance
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 289
Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . 290
Special Application Services
Special ApplicationServices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Additional Maintenance
and Care
Additional Maintenanceand Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Recommended Fluids,
Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids andLubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300Maintenance ReplacementParts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Maintenance Records
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . . 302
General Information
Yo u r v e h i c l e i s a n i m p o r t a n tinvestment. This section describesthe required maintenance for thevehicle. Follow this schedule to helpprotect against major repairexpenses resulting from neglect orinadequate maintenance. It mayalso help to maintain the value ofthe vehicle if it is sold. It is theresponsibility of the owner to haveall required maintenance performed.
Yo u r d e a l e r h a s t r a i n e d t e c h n i c i a n swho can perform requiredmaintenance using genuinereplacement parts. They haveup-to-date tools and equipment forfast and accurate diagnostics. Manydealers have extended evening andSaturday hours, courtesytransportation, and onlinescheduling to assist with serviceneeds.
Yo u r d e a l e r r e c o g n i z e s t h eimportance of providingcompetitively priced maintenanceand repair services. With trainedtechnicians, the dealer is the placefor routine maintenance such as oil
changes and tire rotations andadditional maintenance items liketires, brakes, batteries, and wiperblades.
Caution
Damage caused by improper
maintenance can lead to costly
repairs and may not be covered
by the vehicle warranty.
Maintenance intervals, checks,
inspections, recommended fluids,
and lubricants are important to
keep the vehicle in good working
condition.
The Tire Rotation and RequiredServices are the responsibility of thevehicle owner. It is recommended tohave your dealer perform theseservices every 12 000 km/7,500 mi.Proper vehicle maintenance helps tokeep the vehicle in good workingcondition, improves fuel economy,and reduces vehicle emissions.
Because of the way people usevehicles, maintenance needs vary.There may need to be more
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290 Service and Maintenance
frequent checks and services. TheAdditional Required Services -Normal are for vehicles that:
.Carry passengers and cargowithin recommended limits onthe Tire and Loading Informationlabel. SeeVehicle LoadLimits0178.
.Are driven on reasonable roadsurfaces within legal drivinglimits.
.Use the recommended fuel. SeeFuel0207.
Refer to the information in theMaintenance Schedule AdditionalRequired Services - Normal chart.
The Additional Required Services -Severe are for vehicles that are:
.Mainly driven in heavy city trafficin hot weather.
.Mainly driven in hilly ormountainous terrain.
.Frequently towing a trailer.
.Used for high speed orcompetitive driving.
.Used for taxi, police, or deliveryservice.
Refer to the information in theMaintenance Schedule AdditionalRequired Services - Severe chart.
{Warning
Performing maintenance work can
be dangerous and can cause
serious injury. Perform
maintenance work only if the
required information, proper tools,
and equipment are available.
If they are not, see your dealer to
have a trained technician do the
work. SeeDoing Your Own
Service Work0214.
Maintenance
Schedule
Owner Checks and Services
At Each Fuel Stop
.Check the engine oil level. SeeEngine Oil0220.
Once a Month
.Check the tire inflationpressures. SeeTirePressure0256.
.Inspect the tires for wear. SeeTire Inspection0260.
.Check the windshield washerfluid level. SeeWasherFluid0231.
Engine Oil Change
When a:%CHANGE message
displays in the DIC, have the engineoil and filter changed within the next1000km/600mi. If driven under thebest conditions, the engine oil lifesystem may not indicate the needfor vehicle service for up to a year.The engine oil and filter must bechanged at least once a year and