Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
110 Instruments and Controls
Speedometer
The speedometer shows the
vehicle's speed in either kilometers
per hour (km/h) or miles per
hour (mph).
Odometer
The odometer shows how far the
vehicle has been driven, in either
kilometers or miles.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer shows how far
the vehicle has been driven since
the trip odometer was last reset.
The trip odometer is accessed and
reset through the Driver Information
Center (DIC). SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) 0123.
Tachometer
The tachometer displays the engine
speed in revolutions per
minute (rpm).
Caution
If the engine is operated with the
rpm’s in the warning area at the
high end of the tachometer, the
vehicle could be damaged, and
the damage would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do not
operate the engine with the rpm’s
in the warning area.
Fuel Gauge
When the ignition is on, the fuel
gauge shows how much fuel is left
in the fuel tank. When the indicator nears empty, a fuel warning light will
come on. See
Low Fuel Warning
Light 0120. The vehicle still has a
little fuel left, but the vehicle should
be fueled soon. An arrow on the fuel
gauge indicates the side of the
vehicle the fuel door is on.
Here are four things that some
owners ask about. These are
normal and do not indicate a
problem with the fuel gauge:
. At the service station, the gas
pump shuts off before the gauge
reads full.
. It takes a little more or less fuel
to fill up than the gauge
indicated. For example, the
gauge may have indicated the
fuel tank was half full, but it
actually took a little more or less
than half the fuel tank's capacity
to fill it.
. The indicator moves a little while
turning a corner or speeding up.
. The gauge goes back to empty
when the ignition is turned off.
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Instruments and Controls 113
Warning (Continued)
Light0111 for more information,
including important safety
information.
Charging System Light
This light will come on briefly when
the ignition is turned on, and the
engine is not running, as a check to
show it is working.
It should go out when the engine is
started. If it stays on, or comes on
while driving, there may be a
problem with the electrical charging
system. Have it checked by your
dealer. Driving while this light is on
could drain the battery. If a short
distance must be driven with the
light on, turn off all accessories, such as the radio and air
conditioner, to help reduce the drain
on the battery.
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine
Light)
This light is part of the vehicle’s
emission control on-board
diagnostic system. If this light is on
while the engine is running, a
malfunction has been detected and
the vehicle may require service. The
light should come on to show that it
is working when the ignition is on
with the engine not running for Key
Access or in Service Mode for
Keyless Access.
See
Ignition Positions (Key Access)
0 181 orIgnition Positions (Keyless
Access) 0183.
Malfunctions are often indicated by
the system before any problem is
noticeable. Being aware of the light
and seeking service promptly when
it comes on may prevent damage.
Caution
If the vehicle is driven continually
with this light on, the emission
control system may not work as
well, the fuel economy may be
lower, and the vehicle may not
run smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Caution
Modifications to the engine,
transmission, exhaust, intake,
or fuel system, or the use of
replacement tires that do not
meet the original tire
specifications, can cause this light
to come on. This could lead to
(Continued)
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
114 Instruments and Controls
Caution (Continued)
costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. This could also
affect the vehicle’s ability to pass
an Emissions Inspection/
Maintenance test. See
Accessories and Modifications
0216.
If the light is flashing : A
malfunction has been detected that
could damage the emission control
system and increase vehicle
emissions. Diagnosis and service
may be required.
To help prevent damage, reduce
vehicle speed and avoid hard
accelerations and uphill grades.
If the light continues to flash, find a
safe place to park. Turn the vehicle
off and wait at least 10 seconds
before restarting the engine. If the
light is still flashing, follow the
previous guidelines and see your
dealer for service as soon as
possible. If the light is on steady :
A
malfunction has been detected.
Diagnosis and service may be
required.
Check the following:
. A loose or missing fuel cap may
cause the light to come on. See
Filling the Tank 0210. A few
driving trips with the cap
properly installed may turn the
light off.
. Poor fuel quality can cause
inefficient engine operation and
poor driveability, which may go
away once the engine is warmed
up. If this occurs, change the
fuel brand. It may require at
least one full tank of the proper
fuel to turn the light off. See Fuel
0 209.
If the light remains on, see your
dealer.
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
If the vehicle requires an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test, the
test equipment will likely connect to
the vehicle's Data Link
Connector (DLC).
The DLC is under the instrument
panel to the left of the steering
wheel. Connecting devices that are
not used to perform an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test or to
service the vehicle may affect
vehicle operation. See Add-On
Electrical Equipment 0213. See
your dealer if assistance is needed.
The vehicle may not pass
inspection if:
. The light is on when the engine
is running.
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Instruments and Controls 117
Up-Shift Light
For manual transmission vehicles,
there is an up-shift light that comes
on in the lower DIC area. It shows
when to shift to the next higher gear
for best fuel economy.
SeeManual Transmission 0194.
Power Steering Warning
Light
This light comes on briefly when the
ignition is turned on as a check to
show it is working. If it does not come on have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If this light stays on, or comes on
while driving, the system may not be
working. If this happens, see your
dealer for service.
Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) Light
If equipped, this light, located in the
center of the instrument panel,
comes on briefly while starting the
vehicle.
If it does not come on, have the
vehicle serviced.
This light is green if LDW is on and
ready to operate.
This light changes to amber and
flashes to indicate that the lane
marking has been crossed without
using a turn signal in that direction.
See
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
0 207.
Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) Warning Light
If equipped, this light is on the
center of the instrument panel.
The red forward collision alert
comes on and flashes when a
vehicle is being approached too
rapidly.
The forward collision alert stays on
when following a vehicle much too
closely.
See Forward Collision Alert (FCA)
System 0205.
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120 Instruments and Controls
For vehicles with the Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS), this light
comes on briefly when the engine is
started. It provides information
about tire pressures and the TPMS.
When the Light Is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of
the tires are significantly
underinflated.
Stop as soon as possible, and
inflate the tires to the pressure value
shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. SeeTire Pressure
0 258.
When the Light Flashes First and
Then Is On Steady
If the light flashes for about a minute
and then stays on, there may be a
problem with the TPMS. If the
problem is not corrected, the light
will come on at every ignition cycle.
See Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation 0260.Engine Oil Pressure Light
Caution
Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. Driving with the engine oil
low can also damage the engine.
The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Check
the oil level as soon as possible.
Add oil if required, but if the oil
level is within the operating range
and the oil pressure is still low,
have the vehicle serviced. Always
follow the maintenance schedule
for changing engine oil.
This light should come on briefly as
the engine is started. If it does not
come on, have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer. If the light comes on and stays on, it
means that oil is not flowing through
the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and might have
some other system problem. See
your dealer.
Low Fuel Warning Light
This light comes on for a few
seconds when the ignition is turned
on as a check to indicate it is
working. If it does not come on,
have it fixed.
This light comes on when the
vehicle is low on fuel.
The low fuel warning light comes on
when there are approximately 6.0 L
(1.7 gal) of fuel remaining in
the tank.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
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Instruments and Controls 121
To turn the light off, add fuel to the
fuel tank. SeeFilling the Tank
0 210.
Immobilizer Light
The immobilizer light should come
on briefly as the engine is started.
If it does not come on, have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally,
the indicator light turns off.
If the light stays on and the engine
does not start, there could be a
problem with the immobilizer
system.
See Immobilizer Operation (Key
Access) 046 orImmobilizer
Operation (Keyless Access) 046.
Reduced Engine Power
Light
The reduced engine power light
should come on briefly as the
engine is started. If it does not come
on, have the vehicle serviced by
your dealer.
This light, along with the malfunction
indicator lamp, displays when a
noticeable reduction in the vehicle's
performance occurs.
The vehicle can be driven at a
reduced speed when the reduced
engine power light is on but
acceleration and speed might be
reduced. If this light stays on, see
your dealer as soon as possible for
diagnosis and repair.
High-Beam On Light
This light comes on when the
high-beam headlamps are in use.
See Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer 0133.
Front Fog Lamp Light
For vehicles with fog lamps, this
light comes on when the fog lamps
are on.
The light goes out when the fog
lamps are turned off. See Fog
Lamps 0135.
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Instruments and Controls 123
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
The DIC displays information about
the vehicle. It also displays warning
messages if a system problem is
detected. SeeVehicle Messages
0 127. All messages appear in the
DIC display in the instrument panel
cluster.
DIC Operation and Displays
On some models, the trip odometer
reset stem is used to operate the
DIC. On other models, the controls
for the DIC are on the turn signal
lever.
DIC Buttons
1. SET/CLR: Press to set or clear
the menu item displayed.
2.
w/x: Turn the band to
scroll through the menus.
3. MENU: Press to display the
Trip/Fuel menu and the Vehicle
Information menu. This button
is also used to return to or exit
the last screen displayed on
the DIC.
Vehicle Information Menu
Items (Base Level DIC)
Press MENU to view the DIC menu.
Some items display in the upper
display area, some in the lower
display area, and others use both
the upper and lower display areas.
Use
w/xto scroll through the
menu items. Not all items are
available on every vehicle. The
following is a list of possible menu
items:
. Remaining Oil Life
. Units
. Tire Learn Remaining Oil Life
This menu is not available while the
vehicle is moving. This display
shows an estimate of the oil's
remaining useful life. If 99
:% is
displayed, that means 99% of the
current oil life remains.
When the remaining oil life is low,
the
:% CHANGE message will
appear on the display. The oil
should changed as soon as
possible. See Engine Oil0222. In
addition to the engine oil life system
monitoring the oil life, additional
maintenance is recommended in the
Maintenance Schedule. See
Maintenance Schedule 0295.
Remember, the Oil Life display must
be reset after each oil change. It will
not reset itself. Also, be careful not
to reset the Oil Life display
accidentally at any time other than
when the oil has just been changed.
It cannot be reset accurately until
the next oil change. To reset the
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
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124 Instruments and Controls
engine oil life system, press SET/
CLR while the Oil Life display is
active. SeeEngine Oil Life System
0 224.
Units
This menu is not available while the
vehicle is moving. Press SET/CLR
while the unit display is active and
move
w/xto change units when
UNIT SET is displayed. Press SET/
CLR to confirm the setting. Select 1,
2, or 3 for the unit display. 1 is
metric units, 2 is Imperial units, and
3 is US units. This will change the
displays on the cluster and DIC to
the type of measurements selected.
Tire Learn
This display allows for matching of
the TPMS sensors. The display will
show a vehicle with the approximate
pressures of all four tires. Tire
pressure is displayed in either
kilopascal (kPa) or pounds per
square inch (psi).
See Tire Pressure Monitor System
0 259 andTire Pressure Monitor
Operation 0260.
Trip/Fuel Menu Items (Base
Level DIC)
Press MENU until the Trip/Fuel
menu is displayed. Use
w/xto
scroll through the menu items. On
some models, use the trip odometer
reset stem to scroll through the
menu. Not all items are available on
every vehicle. The following is a list
of possible menu items:
. Trip Odometer
. Fuel Range
. Average Vehicle Speed
. Instantaneous Fuel Economy
. Average Fuel Economy
Trip Odometer
This display shows the current
distance traveled, in either
kilometers (km) or miles (mi), since
the last reset for the trip odometer.
The trip odometer can be reset to
zero by pressing SET/CLR or
pressing and holding the trip
odometer reset stem while the trip
odometer display is showing. Fuel Range
This display shows the approximate
distance the vehicle can be driven
without refueling. The fuel range
estimate is based on an average of
the vehicle's fuel economy over
recent driving history and the
amount of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank. Fuel range cannot be reset.
Average Vehicle Speed
This display shows the average
speed of the vehicle in kilometers
per hour (km/h) or miles per
hour (mph). This average is
calculated based on the various
vehicle speeds recorded since the
last reset of this value. The average
speed can be reset by pressing
SET/CLR or pressing and holding
the trip odometer reset stem while
the Average Vehicle Speed display
is showing.
Instantaneous Fuel Economy
The instantaneous fuel economy
display shows the current fuel
economy in liters per 100 kilometers
(L/100 km) or miles per
gallon (mpg). This number reflects