Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/12/17
230 Vehicle Care
If coolant is visible but the coolant
level is not at or above the mark
pointed to, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant.
Be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done.
If no coolant is visible in the coolant
surge tank, add coolant as follows:
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system are under
pressure. Turning the pressure
cap, even a little, can cause them
to come out at high speed and
you could be burned. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
pressure cap to cool.
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such
as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. With
plain water or the wrong mixture,
the engine could get too hot but
there would not be an overheat
warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be
burned.
{Warning
Spilling coolant on hot engine
parts can burn you. Coolant
contains ethylene glycol and it will
burn if the engine parts are hot
enough.
Caution
Failure to follow the specific
coolant fill procedure could cause
the engine to overheat and could
cause system damage. If coolant
is not visible in the surge tank,
contact your dealer.
If no problem is found, check to see
if coolant is visible in the coolant
surge tank. If coolant is visible but
the coolant level is not at the
indicated level mark, add a 50/
50 mixture of clean, drinkable water
and DEX-COOL coolant at the
coolant surge tank, but be sure the
cooling system, including the
coolant surge tank pressure cap, is
cool before you do it.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
Service and Maintenance 293
Service and
Maintenance
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . 293
Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . 295
Special Application Services
Special ApplicationServices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Additional Maintenance
and Care
Additional Maintenanceand Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Recommended Fluids,
Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids andLubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Maintenance Replacement Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Maintenance Records
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . . 306
General Information
Your vehicle is an important
investment. This section describes
the required maintenance for the
vehicle. Follow this schedule to help
protect against major repair
expenses resulting from neglect or
inadequate maintenance. It may
also help to maintain the value of
the vehicle if it is sold. It is the
responsibility of the owner to have
all required maintenance performed.
Your dealer has trained technicians
who can perform required
maintenance using genuine
replacement parts. They have
up-to-date tools and equipment for
fast and accurate diagnostics. Many
dealers have extended evening and
Saturday hours, courtesy
transportation, and online
scheduling to assist with service
needs.
Your dealer recognizes the
importance of providing
competitively priced maintenance
and repair services. With trained
technicians, the dealer is the place for routine maintenance such as oil
changes and tire rotations and
additional maintenance items like
tires, brakes, batteries, and wiper
blades.
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.
Do not have chemical flushes that
are not approved by GM
performed on the vehicle. The
use of flushes, solvents, cleaners,
or lubricants that are not
approved by GM could damage
the vehicle, requiring expensive
repairs that are not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
Service and Maintenance 295
Maintenance
Schedule
Owner Checks and Services
At Each Fuel Stop
.Check the engine oil level. See
Engine Oil 0222.
Once a Month
. Check the tire inflation
pressures. See Tire Pressure
0 258.
. Inspect the tires for wear. See
Tire Inspection 0263.
. Check the windshield washer
fluid level. See Washer Fluid
0 233.
Engine Oil Change
When a:% CHANGE message
displays in the DIC, have the engine
oil and filter changed within the next
1 000 km/600 mi. If driven under the
best conditions, the engine oil life
system may not indicate the need
for vehicle service for up to a year.
The engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year and
the oil life system must be reset.
Your trained dealer technician can
perform this work. If the engine oil
life system is reset accidentally,
service the vehicle within 5 000 km/
3,000 mi since the last service.
Reset the oil life system when the
oil is changed. See
Engine Oil Life
System 0224.
Tire Rotation and Required
Services Every 12 000 km/
7,500 mi
Rotate the tires, if recommended for
the vehicle, and perform the
following services. See Tire
Rotation 0264.
. Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed,
change engine oil and filter, and
reset oil life system.
See Engine Oil 0222 and
Engine Oil Life System 0224.
. Check engine coolant level. See
Cooling System 0228.
. Check windshield washer fluid
level. See Washer Fluid 0233. .
Visually inspect windshield wiper
blades for wear, cracking,
or contamination. See Exterior
Care 0283. Replace worn or
damaged wiper blades. See
Wiper Blade Replacement
0 237.
. Check tire inflation pressures.
See Tire Pressure 0258.
. Inspect tire wear. See Tire
Inspection 0263.
. Visually check for fluid leaks.
. Inspect engine air cleaner filter.
See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
0 226.
. Inspect brake system. See
Exterior Care 0283.
. Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of
wear. See Exterior Care 0283.
. Check restraint system
components. See Safety System
Check 066.
. Visually inspect fuel system for
damage or leaks.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
Service and Maintenance 297
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required
Services - Normal12 000 km/7,500 mi
24 000 km/15,000 mi
36 000 km/22,500 mi
48 000 km/30,000 mi
60 000 km/37,500 mi
72 000 km/45,000 mi
84 000 km/52,500 mi
96 000 km/60,000 mi
108 000 km/67,500 mi
120 000 km/75,000 mi
132 000 km/82,500 mi
144 000 km/90,000 mi
156 000 km/97,500 mi
168 000 km/105,000 mi 180 000 km/112,500 mi
192 000 km/120,000 mi
204 000 km/127,500 mi
216 000 km/135,000 mi
228 000 km/142,500 mi
240 000 km/150,000 mi
Rotate tires and perform Required Services.
Check engine oil level and oil life percentage.
Change engine oil and filter, if needed.@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Replace passenger compartment air filter. (1)@ @@@@@
Inspect evaporative control system. (2)@ @@
Replace engine air cleaner filter. (3)@@@
Replace spark plugs. Inspect spark plug wires.
(1.8L Engine)@
Replace spark plugs. Inspect spark plug wires.
(1.4L Engine)@ @
Drain and fill engine cooling system. (4)@
Visually inspect accessory drive belts. (5)@
1.8L Engine Only: Replace timing belt, idler
pulley, and timing belt tensioner. (5)@
Replace brake fluid. If equipped with an automatic
transmission. (6)
Replace brake/clutch fluid. If equipped with
manual transmission. (7)
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
298 Service and Maintenance
Footnotes—Maintenance
Schedule Additional Required
Services - Normal
(1) Or every two years, whichever
comes first. More frequent
passenger compartment air filter
replacement may be needed if
driving in areas with heavy traffic,
poor air quality, high dust levels,
or environmental allergens.
Passenger compartment air filter
replacement may also be needed if
there is reduced airflow, window
fogging, or odors. Your GM dealer
can help determine when to replace
the filter.
(2) Visually check all fuel and vapor
lines and hoses for proper
attachment, connection, routing, and
condition.
(3) Or every four years, whichever
comes first. If driving in dusty
conditions, inspect the filter at each
oil change or more often as needed.
(4) Or every five years, whichever
comes first. See Cooling System
0 228. (5)
Or every 10 years, whichever
comes first. Inspect for fraying,
excessive cracking, or damage;
replace, if needed.
(6) If equipped with an automatic
transmission, replace brake fluid
every five years. See Brake Fluid
0 234.
(7) If equipped with a manual
transmission, replace brake/clutch
fluid every three years. See Brake
Fluid 0234.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
Service and Maintenance 299
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required
Services - Severe12 000 km/7,500 mi
24 000 km/15,000 mi
36 000 km/22,500 mi
48 000 km/30,000 mi
60 000 km/37,500 mi
72 000 km/45,000 mi
84 000 km/52,500 mi
96 000 km/60,000 mi
108 000 km/67,500 mi
120 000 km/75,000 mi
132 000 km/82,500 mi
144 000 km/90,000 mi
156 000 km/97,500 mi
168 000 km/105,000 mi 180 000 km/112,500 mi
192 000 km/120,000 mi
204 000 km/127,500 mi
216 000 km/135,000 mi
228 000 km/142,500 mi
240 000 km/150,000 mi
Rotate tires and perform Required Services.
Check engine oil level and oil life percentage.
Change engine oil and filter, if needed.@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Replace passenger compartment air filter. (1)@ @@@@@
Inspect evaporative control system. (2)@ @@
Replace engine air cleaner filter. (3)@@@
Change automatic transmission fluid.@@@
Change manual transmission fluid.@@@
Replace spark plugs. Inspect spark plug wires.
(1.8L Engine)@
Replace spark plugs. Inspect spark plug wires.
(1.4L Engine)@ @
Drain and fill engine cooling system. (4)@
Visually inspect accessory drive belts. (5)@
1.8L Engine Only: Replace timing belt, idler
pulley, and timing belt tensioner. (5)@
Replace brake fluid. If equipped with an automatic
transmission. (6)
Replace brake/clutch fluid. If equipped with
manual transmission. (7)
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
300 Service and Maintenance
Footnotes—Maintenance
Schedule Additional Required
Services - Severe
(1) Or every two years, whichever
comes first. More frequent
passenger compartment air filter
replacement may be needed if
driving in areas with heavy traffic,
poor air quality, high dust levels,
or environmental allergens.
Passenger compartment air filter
replacement may also be needed if
there is reduced airflow, window
fogging, or odors. Your GM dealer
can help determine when to replace
the filter.
(2) Visually check all fuel and vapor
lines and hoses for proper
attachment, connection, routing, and
condition.
(3) Or every four years, whichever
comes first. If driving in dusty
conditions, inspect the filter at each
oil change or more often as needed.
(4) Or every five years, whichever
comes first. See Cooling System
0 228. (5)
Or every 10 years, whichever
comes first. Inspect for fraying,
excessive cracking, or damage;
replace, if needed.
(6) If equipped with an automatic
transmission, replace brake fluid
every five years. See Brake Fluid
0 234.
(7) If equipped with a manual
transmission, replace brake/clutch
fluid every three years. See Brake
Fluid 0234.Special Application
Services
.
Severe Commercial Use
Vehicles Only: Lubricate chassis
components every oil change.
. Have underbody flushing service
performed. See "Underbody
Maintenance" in Exterior Care
0 283.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
Service and Maintenance 301
Additional
Maintenance and Care
Your vehicle is an important
investment and caring for it properly
may help to avoid future costly
repairs. To maintain vehicle
performance, additional
maintenance services may be
required.
It is recommended that your dealer
perform these services—their
trained dealer technicians know
your vehicle best. Your dealer can
also perform a thorough
assessment with a multi-point
inspection to recommend when your
vehicle may need attention.
The following list is intended to
explain the services and conditions
to look for that may indicate
services are required.
Battery
The battery supplies power to start
the engine and operate any
additional electrical accessories. .
To avoid break-down or failure to
start the vehicle, maintain a
battery with full cranking power.
. Trained dealer technicians have
the diagnostic equipment to test
the battery and ensure that the
connections and cables are
corrosion-free.
Belts
. Belts may need replacing if they
squeak or show signs of
cracking or splitting.
. Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the belts and
recommend adjustment or
replacement when necessary.
. A message may indicate when
scheduled maintenance on the
timing belt and other
components is required.
Brakes
Brakes stop the vehicle and are
crucial to safe driving. .
Signs of brake wear may include
chirping, grinding, or squealing
noises, or difficulty stopping.
. Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the brakes and
recommend quality parts
engineered for the vehicle.
Fluids
Proper fluid levels and approved
fluids protect the vehicle’s systems
and components. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0304 for GM approved
fluids.
. Engine oil and windshield
washer fluid levels should be
checked at every fuel fill.
. Instrument cluster lights may
come on to indicate that fluids
may be low and need to be
filled.
Hoses
Hoses transport fluids and should
be regularly inspected to ensure
that there are no cracks or leaks.