Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Introduction 3
Danger, Warning, and
Caution
Warning messages found on vehiclelabels and in this manual describehazards and what to do to avoid orreduce them.
{Danger
Danger indicates a hazard with a
high level of risk which will result
in serious injury or death.
{Warning
Warning indicates a hazard that
could result in injury or death.
Caution
Caution indicates a hazard that
could result in property or vehicle
damage.
Acirclewithaslashthroughitisasafety symbol which means“DoNot,”“Do not do this,”or“Do not letthis happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components andlabels that use symbols instead oftext. Symbols are shown along withthe text describing the operation orinformation relating to a specificcomponent, control, message,gauge, or indicator.
M:Shown when the ownermanual has additional instructionsor information.
*:Shown when the servicemanual has additional instructionsor information.
0:Shown when there is moreinformation on another page—“see page.”
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbolsthat may be found on the vehicleand what they mean. For moreinformation on the symbol, refer tothe Index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
%:Audio Steering Wheel Controlsor OnStar®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
`:Do Not Puncture
^:Do Not Service
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
_:Flame/Fire Prohibited
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gauge
+:Fuses
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
In Brief 5
In Brief
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Initial Drive Information
Initial Drive Information . . . . . . . . . . 8Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . 9Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Liftgate (Hatchback) . . . . . . . . . . . 10Trunk Release (Sedan) . . . . . . . . 10Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Second Row Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Head Restraint Adjustment . . . . 13Safety Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Passenger Sensing System . . . 13Mirror Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . . 14Interior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . . . 16Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Vehicle Features
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . 18Radio(s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Satellite Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Portable Audio Devices . . . . . . . . 20Bluetooth®..................... 20Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . . 20Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Driver InformationCenter (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Forward Collision Alert (FCA)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Lane DepartureWarning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . 22Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Performance and Maintenance
Traction Control/ElectronicStability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Tire Pressure Monitor . . . . . . . . . . 23Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . 24Driving for Better FuelEconomy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Roadside AssistanceProgram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
In Brief 7
1.Air Vents0168.
2.Exterior Lamp Controls0134.
Instrument Panel IlluminationControl0137.
3. Turn Signal Lever. SeeTu r nand Lane-ChangeSignals0136.
4.Instrument Cluster0107.
5.Windshield Wiper/Washer0102.
6. Card Holder.
7.Infotainment0141.
8. Light Sensor. SeeAutomaticHeadlamp System0135.
9.Instrument Panel Storage097.
10.Passenger SensingSystem071.
11 .Hazard WarningFlashers0136.
12.USB Port0149(If Equipped).
Auxiliary Devices0155(IfEquipped).
13. Shift Lever. SeeAutomaticTr a n s m i s s i o n0191(IfEquipped) orManualTr a n s m i s s i o n0193(IfEquipped).
14. Trunk Release (Sedan). SeeTr u n k ( S e d a n )041.
Lane Departure Warning(LDW)0206(If Equipped).
Tr a c t i o n C o n t r o l / E l e c t r o n i cStability Control0197.
15.Power Outlets0105.
16.Climate ControlSystems0166.
17. Central Locking Switch. SeeDoor Locks038.
18. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnitionPositions (Key Access)0182orIgnition Positions (KeylessAccess)0183.
19.Steering Wheel Controls0101.
20.Horn0102.
21.Steering WheelAdjustment0101.
22.Cruise Control0199.
Forward Collision Alert (FCA)System0204(If Equipped.
Heated Steering Wheel0102(If Equipped).
23. Data Link Connector (DLC)(Out of View). SeeMalfunctionIndicator Lamp (Check EngineLight)011 2.
24. Hood Release. SeeHood0215.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
In Brief 9
Press and release7to initiate
vehicle locator.
Press and hold7for at least
three seconds to sound the panicalarm.
Press7again to cancel the panic
alarm.
SeeKeys026andRemote KeylessEntry (RKE) System Operation(Keyless Access)031orRemoteKeyless Entry (RKE) SystemOperation (Key Access)029.
Remote Vehicle Start
If equipped, the engine can bestarted from outside of the vehicle.
Starting the Vehicle
1. Press and releaseQon the
RKE transmitter.
2. Immediately press and hold/
for at least four seconds or untilthe turn signal lamps flash.
Start the vehicle normally afterentering.
When the vehicle starts, the parkinglamps will turn on.
Remote start can be extended.
Canceling a Remote Start
To c a n c e l a r e m o t e s t a r t , d o o n e o fthe following:
.Press and hold/until the
parking lamps turn off.
.Turn on the hazard warningflashers.
.Turn the vehicle on and then off.
SeeRemote Vehicle Start037.
Door Locks
To l o c k o r u n l o c k t h e d o o r s f r o moutside the vehicle:
.Use the key in the driver door tolock all doors or unlock thedriver door only.
.PressQorKon the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.SeeRemote Keyless Entry(RKE) System Operation(Keyless Access)031or
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System Operation (KeyAccess)029.
To l o c k t h e d o o r s f r o m i n s i d e t h evehicle:
.PressQon the central locking
switch or on the driver doorswitch.
.Press the lock knob on the driverdoor to lock all doors and,if equipped, the liftgate.
To u n l o c k t h e d o o r s f r o m i n s i d e t h evehicle:
.PressKon the central locking
switch or on the driver doorswitch.
.Pull the door handle. Pulling thedoor handle again unlatchesthe door.
.Lift the lock knob on the driverdoor to unlock the driver door.
SeeDoor Locks038.
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
Keys, Doors, and Windows 27
{Warning
If the key is unintentionally
rotated while the vehicle is
running, the ignition could be
moved out of the RUN position.
This could be caused by heavy
items hanging from the key ring,
or by large or long items attached
to the key ring that could be
contacted by the driver or
steering wheel. If the ignition
moves out of the RUN position,
the engine will shut off, braking
and steering power assist may be
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
impacted, and airbags may not
deploy. To reduce the risk of
unintentional rotation of the
ignition key, do not change the
way the ignition key and Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter,
if equipped, are connected to the
provided key rings.
The ignition key, key rings, and RKEtransmitter, if equipped, aredesigned to work together. As asystem, it reduces the risk ofunintentionally moving the key outof the RUN position. If replacementsor additions are required, see yourdealer. Limit added items to a fewessential keys or small, light itemsno larger than an RKE transmitter.
Interference from radio-frequencyidentification (RFID) tags mayprevent the key from starting thevehicle. Keep RFID tags away fromthe key when starting the vehicle.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
Keys, Doors, and Windows 29
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation
(Key Access)
The RKE transmitter may work up to60 m (197 ft) away from the vehicle.
Other conditions can affect theperformance of the transmitter. SeeRemote Keyless Entry (RKE)System028.
With Remote Start Shown
The following buttons are on thetransmitter:
Q:Press to lock all doors liftgate ortrunk. The turn signal indicators mayflash and/or the horn may sound toindicate locking. SeeVehiclePersonalization0127.
If the driver door is open whenQis
pressed, all doors lock except thedriver door, if Unlocked Door AntiLock Out is enabled through vehiclepersonalization. SeeVehiclePersonalization0127.Ifthe
passenger door is open whenQis
pressed, all doors lock.
PressingQmay also arm the
theft-deterrent system. SeeVehicleAlarm System044.
K:Press to unlock the driver dooror all doors liftgate or trunk. The turnsignal indicators flash to indicateunlocking has occurred. SeeVehiclePersonalization0127.
PressingKmay also disarm the
theft-deterrent system. SeeVehicleAlarm System044.
Y:If equipped, press and hold torelease the trunk.
7:Press and release one time toinitiate vehicle locator. The exteriorlamps flash and the horn chirps
three times. Press and hold7for at
least three seconds to sound thepanic alarm. The horn sounds andthe turn signals flash for 30 seconds
until7is pressed again, or until the
key is placed in the ignition andturned to ON/RUN.
/:If equipped, press and releaseQand then immediately press and
hold/for at least four seconds or
until the turn signal lamps flash tostart the engine from outside thevehicle using the RKE transmitter.SeeRemote Vehicle Start037.
The buttons on the RKE transmitterare disabled when there is a key inthe ignition.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
32 Keys, Doors, and Windows
K:Press to unlock the driver doorand the liftgate or trunk. Press againto unlock all doors.
The turn signal indicators may flashto indicate unlocking has occurred.SeeVehicle Personalization0127.
PressingKwill disarm the alarm
system. SeeVehicle AlarmSystem044.
X:If equipped, press twice torelease the trunk.
7:Press and release one time toinitiate vehicle locator. The exteriorlamps flash and the horn chirpsthree times.
Press and hold7for at least
three seconds to sound the panicalarm. The horn sounds and theturn signals flash for about
30 seconds until7is pressed again
or ignition is turned to ON/RUN.
/:If equipped, pressQand then
immediately press and hold/for at
least four seconds or until the turnsignal lamps flash to start the
engine from outside the vehicleusing the RKE transmitter. SeeRemote Vehicle Start037.
Keyless Access Operation
Some vehicles have a KeylessAccess system that lets you lockand unlock the doors withoutremoving the RKE transmitter fromyour pocket, purse, briefcase, etc.The RKE transmitter should bewithin 1 m (3 ft) of the door beingopened. If the vehicle has thisfeature, there will be buttons on theoutside door handles.
Keyless Access can beprogrammed to unlock all doors onthe first unlock/lock button pressfrom the driver door. SeeVehiclePersonalization0127.
Keyless Unlocking/Locking fromthe Driver Door
When the doors are locked and theRKE transmitter is within 1 m (3 ft)of the driver door handle, pressingthe lock/unlock button on the driverdoor handle will unlock the driverdoor. If the lock/unlock button ispressed again within five seconds,all passenger doors will unlock. Pullthe door handle to unlatch the door.
Driver Side Shown, Passenger
Side Similar