Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
ContentsIntroduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
In Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Keys, Doors, and Windows . . . . . 26
Seats and Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Instruments and Controls . . . . . . 100
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . 141
Climate Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Driving and Operating . . . . . . . . . 171
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Service and Maintenance . . . . . 289
Te c h n i c a l D a t a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 0 3
Customer Information . . . . . . . . . 307
Reporting Safety Defects . . . . . . 317
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 331
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 15
Do not adjust the steering wheelwhile driving.
Interior Lighting
Dome Lamps
The dome lamp controls are in theheadliner above the rear seats.
9:Press to turn the lamps off,even when a door is open.
H:When the button is returned tothe middle position, the lamps turnon automatically when a door isopened.
R:Press to turn on the dome lamps.
Reading Lamps
For vehicles with front readinglamps, they are in the overheadconsole.
#or$:Press to turn each lampon or off.
For more information about interiorlighting, seeInstrument PanelIllumination Control0137orCourtesy Lamps0138.
Exterior Lighting
The exterior lamp control is on theinstrument panel to the outboardside of the steering column.
O:Briefly turn to this position toturn the automatic light control off oron again.
AUTO :Turns the headlamps onautomatically at normal brightness,together with the following:
.Parking Lamps
.Ta i l l a m p s
.License Plate Lamps
.Instrument Panel Lights
.Sidemarker Lamps
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/13/16
16 In Brief
;:Turns on the parking lampsincluding all lamps except theheadlamps.
5:Turns the headlamps ontogether with the parking lamps andinstrument panel lights. A warningchime sounds if the driver door isopened when the ignition switch isoff and the headlamps are on.
#:For vehicles with fog lamps,press to turn the lamps on or off.
See:
.Exterior Lamp Controls0134
.Daytime Running Lamps(DRL)0135
.Fog Lamps0137
Windshield Wiper/Washer
Sedan
Hatchback
The windshield wiper/washer leveris on the right side of the steeringcolumn.
Move the lever to one of thefollowing positions:
HI :Use for fast wipes.
LO :Use for slow wipes.
Hatchback Shown, Sedan Similar
INT :Move the lever up to INT for
intermittent wipes, then turn thex
INT band up for more frequentwipes or down for less frequentwipes.
OFF :Use to turn the wipers off.
1X :For a single wipe, briefly movethe wiper lever down. For severalwipes, hold the wiper lever down.
nL:Pull the windshield wiperlever toward you to spray windshieldwasher fluid and activate the wipers.
SeeWindshield Wiper/Washer0102.Forvehicleswitharearwindow wiper/washer, seeRearWindow Wiper/Washer0103.
Climate Controls
If equipped with these climatecontrol systems, the heating,cooling, and ventilation can becontrolled for the vehicle.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/19/16
18 In Brief
Manual Transmission
Up-Shift Light
Vehicles equipped with a manualtransmission have an up-shift light.This light indicates when to shift tothe next higher gear for better fueleconomy.
For the best fuel economy,accelerate slowly and shift when thelight comes on, if weather, road, andtraffic conditions allow.
It is normal for the light to go on andoff if the accelerator positionchanges quickly. Ignore the lightduring downshifts.
Reverse Lockout
The manual transmission isequipped with a reverse lockoutring. To shift into R (Reverse), pressdown the clutch pedal, lift up thering on the shift lever, and shift intoR(Reverse). Let up on the clutchpedal slowly while pressing theaccelerator pedal.
SeeManual Transmission0193.
Vehicle Features
Infotainment System
Read the following pages tobecome familiar with the features.
{Warning
Ta k i n g y o u r e y e s o f f t h e r o a d f o r
too long or too often while using
any infotainment feature can
cause a crash. You or others
could be injured or killed. Do not
give extended attention to
infotainment tasks while driving.
Limit your glances at the vehicle
displays and focus your attention
on driving. Use voice commands
whenever possible.
The infotainment system has built-infeatures intended to help avoiddistraction by disabling somefunctions when driving. Thesefunctions may gray out when theyare unavailable. Many infotainment
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-10122660) -2017 - crc - 5/19/16
22 In Brief
greater. LDW uses a camera sensorto detect the lane markings. The
LDW light,@,isgreenifalane
marking is detected. If the vehicledeparts the lane without using a turnsignal in that direction, the light willchange to amber and flash. Inaddition, beeps will sound.
SeeLane Departure Warning(LDW)0206.
Rear Vision
Camera (RVC)
If equipped, RVC displays a view ofthe area behind the vehicle, on theinfotainment display, when thevehicle is shifted into R (Reverse).
SeeRear Vision Camera(RVC)0201.
Power Outlets
The accessory power outlets can beused to plug in electrical equipment,such as a cell phone or MP3 player.
The vehicle has an accessorypower outlet behind the cupholderson the center floor console.
SeePower Outlets0105.
Sunroof
If equipped, the sunroof onlyoperates when the ignition is on orRetained Accessory Power (RAP) isactive. SeeRetained AccessoryPower (RAP)0187.
Express-open :Press and
releaseeto express-open the
sunroof. Press again to stop themovement.
Open/Close (Manual Mode) :
Press and holdeto open the
sunroof. Release the switch to stop
the movement. Press and holdg
to close the sunroof. Release theswitch to stop the movement.
Vent :Press and holdgto vent
the sunroof.
The sunshade opens automaticallywith the sunroof, but must be closedmanually.
The sunroof will not operate if thevehicle has an electrical failure.
SeeSunroof050.