
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
24 In Brief
E85 or FlexFuel
No E85 or FlexFuel
Gasoline-ethanol fuel blends greaterthan E15 (15% ethanol by volume),such as E85, cannot be used in thisvehicle.
Engine Oil Life System
The engine oil life system calculatesengine oil life based on vehicle use
and displays the:%CHANGE
message on the Driver InformationCenter (DIC) when it is necessary tochange the engine oil and filter.
Remember, the oil life display mustbe reset after each oil change. It willnot reset itself.
Resetting the Oil Life System
1. Press MENU to showRemaining Oil Life on thedisplay. This display shows anestimate of the oil’sremaininguseful life. If 99% is displayed,that means that 99% of thecurrent oil life remains.
2. To reset the engine oil lifesystem, press SET/CLR whilethe oil life display is active.Select YES and press and holdSET/CLR. After a few seconds,there will be a single chime andthe oil life will be resetto 100%.
Be careful not to reset the oil lifedisplay accidentally at any timeother than when the oil has justbeen changed. It cannot be resetaccurately until the next oil change.
SeeEngine Oil Life System0222.
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuelmileage. Here are some driving tipsto get the best fuel economypossible.
.Avoid fast starts and acceleratesmoothly.
.Brake gradually and avoidabrupt stops.
.Avoid idling the engine for longperiods of time.
.When road and weatherconditions are appropriate, usecruise control.
.Always follow posted speedlimits or drive more slowly whenconditions require.
.Keep vehicle tires properlyinflated.
.Combine several trips into asingle trip.
.Replace the vehicle's tires withthe same TPC Spec numbermolded into the tire's sidewallnear the size.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
26 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Keys, Doors, and
Windows
Keys and Locks
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System Operation (KeyAccess) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System Operation (KeylessAccess) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . 37Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . 40Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Doors
Trunk (Sedan) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41Liftgate (Hatchback) . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Vehicle Security
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44Vehicle Alarm System . . . . . . . . . 44Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45Immobilizer Operation . . . . . . . . . 45
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46Manual Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Interior Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror . . . . . . . . 47
Windows
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47Manual Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Roof
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Keys and Locks
Keys
{Warning
Leaving children in a vehicle with
an ignition key or Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter is
dangerous and children or others
could be seriously injured or
killed. They could operate the
power window or other controls or
make the vehicle move. The
windows will function with the key
in the ignition or with the RKE
transmitter in the vehicle, and
children or others could be caught
in the path of a closing window.
Do not leave children in a vehicle
with the ignition key or an RKE
transmitter.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
30 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Programming Keys to the
Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmedto this vehicle will work. If atransmitter is lost or stolen, areplacement can be purchased andprogrammed through your dealer.When the replacement transmitter isprogrammed to this vehicle, allremaining transmitters must also bereprogrammed. Any lost or stolentransmitters will no longer workonce the new transmitter isprogrammed. See your dealer tohave new transmitters programmed.
Programming with TwoRecognized Keys
To p r o g r a m a n e w k e y :
1. Insert the original, alreadyprogrammed key in the ignitionand turn the key to the ON/RUN position.
2. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF,and remove the key.
3. Quickly, within five seconds,insert the second originalalready programmed key in theignition and turn it to the ON/RUN position.
4. Turn the key to LOCK/OFF,and remove the key.
5. Insert the new key to beprogrammed and turn it to theON/RUN position withinfive seconds.
The security light will turn offonce the key has beenprogrammed.
6. Repeat Steps 1–5ifadditionalkeys are to be programmed.
If a key is lost or damaged, see yourdealer to have a new key made.
Programming without TwoRecognized Keys
Program a new key to the vehiclewhen two recognized keys are notavailable. Canadian regulationsrequire that owners see their dealer.
If two currently recognized keys arenot available, follow this procedureto program the first key.
This procedure will takeapproximately 30 minutes tocomplete for the first key. Thevehicle must be off and all of thekeys you wish to program must bewith you.
1. Insert the new vehicle key intothe ignition.
2. Turn to ON/RUN. The securitylight will come on.
3. Wait 10 minutes until thesecurity light turns off.
4. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
5. Repeat Steps 2–4twomoretimes. After the third time, turnto ON/RUN; the key is learnedand all previously known keyswill no longer work with thevehicle.
6. To program the second key,turn to OFF and insert thesecond key to be learned andturn to ON/RUN.
After the two keys are learned,remaining keys can be learned byfollowing the procedure in“Programming with TwoRecognized Keys.”

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/20/16
42 Keys, Doors, and Windows
To o p e n t h e t r u n k f r o m i n s i d e t h e
vehicle, pressV.
To o p e n t h e t r u n k f r o m o u t s i d e o fthe vehicle:
.PressKon the RKE transmitter
to unlock all doors, then use thetouch pad.
.Press and holdYfor key
access, or pressXtwice for
keyless access vehicles on theRKE transmitter.
SeeRemote Keyless Entry (RKE)System Operation (Keyless Access)031orRemote Keyless Entry(RKE) System Operation (KeyAccess)029.
To l o c k t h e t r u n k f r o m o u t s i d e p r e s sQon the RKE transmitter.
Emergency Trunk Release
Handle
Caution
Do not use the emergency trunk
release handle as a tie-down or
anchor point when securing items
in the trunk as it could damage
the handle.
There is a glow-in-the-darkemergency trunk release handle onthe underside of the trunk lid. Thishandle will glow following exposureto light. Pull the release handledown to open the trunk from theinside.
After use, return to the storedposition.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
44 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Vehicle Security
This vehicle has theft-deterrentfeatures; however, they do not makethe vehicle impossible to steal.
Vehicle Alarm System
This vehicle has an anti-theft alarmsystem.
The indicator light on the instrumentpanel near the windshield indicatesthe status of the system.
Off :Vehicle is disarmed.
On Solid :Ve h i c l e i s s e c u r e dduring the delay to arm the system.
Fast Flash :Vehicle is unsecured.Adoor,thehood,orthetrunk/liftgate is open.
Slow Flash :Alarm system isarmed.
Arming the Alarm System
1. Close all doors, the trunk/liftgate, and the hood.
2. Lock the vehicle in one oftwo ways:
.Use the RKE transmitter.
.With a door open, press the
insideQ.
3. After 30 seconds the alarmsystem will arm, and theindicator light will begin toslowly flash indicating thealarm system is operating.
PressingQon the RKE
transmitter a second time willbypass the 30-second delayand immediately arm the alarmsystem.
The vehicle alarm system will notarm if the doors are locked withthe key.
If the driver door is opened withoutfirst unlocking with the RKEtransmitter, the horn will chirp and
the lights will flash to indicatepre-alarm. If the vehicle is notstarted, or the door is not unlocked
by pressingKon the RKE
transmitter during the 10-secondpre-alarm, the alarm will beactivated.
If a door, the hood, or the liftgate isopened without first unlocking withthe RKE transmitter, the turn signalswill flash and the horn will sound forabout 30 seconds. The alarmsystem will then re-arm to monitorfor the next unauthorized event.
Disarming the System
To d i s a r m t h e s y s t e m , e i t h e r u n l o c kthe doors using the RKE transmitter,or start the vehicle with arecognized transmitter in thevehicle.
To a v o i d s e t t i n g o f f t h e a l a r m b yaccident:
.PressKon the RKE transmitter.
.Start the vehicle.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Keys, Doors, and Windows 45
To a v o i d s e t t i n g o f f t h e a l a r m b yaccident:
.Lock the vehicle after alloccupants have left the vehicleand all doors are closed.
.Always unlock a door with theRKE transmitter.
Unlocking the driver door with thekey will not disarm the system orturn off the alarm.
How to Detect a Tamper
Condition
IfKis pressed on the transmitter
and the horn chirps and the lightsflash three times, an alarm occurredpreviously while the alarm systemwas armed.
Immobilizer
SeeRadio FrequencyStatement0317.
Immobilizer Operation
This vehicle has a passivetheft-deterrent system.
The system does not have to bemanually armed or disarmed.
The vehicle is automaticallyimmobilized when the key isremoved from the ignition.
The system is automaticallydisarmed when the vehicle isstarted with the correct key. The keyuses a transponder that matches animmobilizer control unit in thevehicle and automatically disarmsthe system. Only an authorized keystarts the vehicle. The vehicle maynot start if the key is damaged.
The security light in the instrumentcluster comes on if there is aproblem with arming or disarmingthe theft-deterrent system.
When trying to start the vehicle, thesecurity light comes on briefly whenthe ignition is turned on.
If the engine does not start and thesecurity light stays on, there is aproblem with the system. Turn theignition off and try again.
If the engine still does not start, andthe key appears to be undamagedor the light continues to stay on, tryanother ignition key. If the enginedoes not start with the other key, thevehicle needs service. If the vehicledoes start, the first key may bedamaged. See your dealer who canservice the theft-deterrent systemand have a new key made.
Do not leave the key or device thatdisarms or deactivates thetheft-deterrent system in the vehicle.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Seats and Restraints 51
Seats and
Restraints
Head Restraints
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Front Seats
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53Power Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . 54Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . 54Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . 55Front Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . 56Heated Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Rear Seats
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Safety Belts
Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59How to Wear Safety BeltsProperly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61Safety Belt Use DuringPregnancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63Safety Belt Extender . . . . . . . . . . . 64Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . 64Safety Belt Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64Replacing Safety Belt SystemParts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Airbag System
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . 67When Should an AirbagInflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68What Makes an AirbagInflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69How Does an AirbagRestrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70What Will You See after anAirbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70Passenger Sensing System . . . 71Servicing the Airbag-EquippedVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75Adding Equipment to theAirbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . 75Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . 76Replacing Airbag System Partsafter a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Child Restraints
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77Infants and Young Children . . . . 79Child Restraint Systems . . . . . . . 81Where to Put the Restraint . . . . . 83Lower Anchors and Tethers forChildren (LATCH System) . . . . 84Replacing LATCH System PartsAfter a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Securing Child Restraints (Withthe Safety Belt in theRear Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91Securing Child Restraints (Withthe Safety Belt in theFront Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Seats and Restraints 53
Rear Seats
The vehicle's rear seats haveadjustable head restraints in theoutboard seating positions.
The height of the head restraint canbe adjusted. Pull the head restraintup to raise it. Try to move the headrestraint to make sure that it islocked in place.
To l o w e r t h e h e a d r e s t r a i n t , p r e s sthe button, located on the top of theseatback, and push the headrestraint down. Try to move thehead restraint after the button isreleased to make sure that it islocked in place.
If you are installing a child restraintin the rear seat, see“Securing aChild Restraint Designed for theLATCH System”underLowerAnchors and Tethers for Children(LATCH System)084.
Front Seats
Seat Adjustment
Manual Seats
{Warning
Yo u c a n l o s e c o n t r o l o f t h e
vehicle if you try to adjust a driver
seat while the vehicle is moving.
Adjust the driver seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.