
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
In Brief 13
Reclining Seatbacks
Manual Seat Shown, Power SeatSimilar
To recline the seatback: 1. Lift the lever. If necessary, move the seat
belt out of the way to access
the lever.
2. Move the seatback to the desired position, then release
the lever to lock the seatback
in place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked. To return the seatback to an upright
position:
1. Lift the lever fully without applying pressure to the
seatback, and the seatback
returns to the upright position.
2. Push and pull on the seatback to make sure it is locked.
See Reclining Seatbacks 057.
Second Row Seats
The rear seatbacks can be folded
down to increase cargo space.
See Rear Seats 059.
Head Restraint
Adjustment
Do not drive until the head restraints
for all occupants are installed and
adjusted properly.
To achieve a comfortable seating
position, change the seatback
recline angle as little as necessary
while keeping the seat and the head
restraint height in the proper
position. See
Head Restraints 054 and Seat
Adjustment 055.
Seat Belts
Refer to the following sections for
important information on how to use
seat belts properly:
.
Seat Belts 061.
. How to Wear Seat Belts Properly
062.
. Lap-Shoulder Belt 063.
. Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children (LATCH System) 086.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
In Brief 15
Interior Mirror
Hold the inside rearview mirror in
the center to move it for a clearer
view behind your vehicle. Adjust the
mirror to avoid glare from the
headlamps behind you. Push the
tab forward for daytime use and pull
it for nighttime use.
SeeManual Rearview Mirror 049.
Steering Wheel
Adjustment
To adjust the steering wheel:
1. Pull the lever down. 2. Move the steering wheel up,
down, forward, and backward.
3. Pull the lever up to lock the steering wheel in place.
Do not adjust the steering wheel
while driving.
Interior Lighting
Dome Lamps
The dome lamp controls are in the
headliner above the rear seats.
9: Press to turn the lamps off,
even when a door is open.
H: When the button is returned to
the middle position, the lamps turn
on automatically when a door is
opened.
R: Press to turn on the dome lamps.
Reading Lamps
For vehicles with front reading
lamps, they are in the overhead
console.
#or$: Press to turn each lamp
on or off.
For more information about interior
lighting, see Instrument Panel
Illumination Control 0136 or
Courtesy Lamps 0136.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
18 In Brief
1. Move the shift lever fromD (Drive) rearward to
M (Manual Mode).
2. Press the + (plus) end of the
button on the side of the shift
lever to upshift, or press the −
(minus) end of the button to
downshift.
See Manual Mode 0193.
Manual Transmission
Up-Shift Light
Vehicles equipped with a manual
transmission have an up-shift light.
This light indicates when to shift to
the next higher gear for better fuel
economy.
For the best fuel economy,
accelerate slowly and shift when the
light comes on, if weather, road, and
traffic conditions allow.
It is normal for the light to go on and
off if the accelerator position
changes quickly. Ignore the light
during downshifts. Reverse Lockout
The manual transmission is
equipped with a reverse lockout
ring. To shift into R (Reverse), press
down the clutch pedal, lift up the
ring on the shift lever, and shift into
R (Reverse). Let up on the clutch
pedal slowly while pressing the
accelerator pedal.
See
Manual Transmission 0194.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
26 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Keys, Doors, and
Windows
Keys and Locks
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation (Key
Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System Operation (Keyless
Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . 37
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . 40
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Doors
Trunk (Sedan) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Liftgate (Hatchback) . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Vehicle Security
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Vehicle Alarm System . . . . . . . . . 44
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Immobilizer Operation (Key
Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Immobilizer Operation (Keyless Access) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Exterior Mirrors
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Manual Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Heated Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Interior Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror . . . . . . . . 49
Windows
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Manual Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Power Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Sun Visors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Roof
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
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-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
28 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Key Access with Remote StartShown
The key that is part of the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter can
be used for the ignition and all
locks.
Press the button on the RKE
transmitter to extend the key. Press
the button and the key blade to
retract the key.Keyless Access with Remote Start Shown
The key that is part of the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter can
be used for all locks.
See your dealer if a new key is
needed.
If it becomes difficult to turn the
ignition with the key, inspect the key
blade for debris.
If you are locked out of the vehicle,
see Roadside Assistance Program
0 315. With an active OnStar service plan,
an OnStar Advisor may remotely
unlock the vehicle. See
OnStar
Overview 0325.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
See Radio Frequency Statement
0 321.
If there is a decrease in the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) operating
range:
. Check the distance. The
transmitter may be too far from
the vehicle.
. Check the location. Other
vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal.
. Check the transmitter's battery.
See “Battery Replacement” later
in this section.
. If the transmitter is still not
working correctly, see your
dealer or a qualified technician
for service.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
Keys, Doors, and Windows 29
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation
(Key Access)
The RKE transmitter may work up to
60 m (197 ft) away from the vehicle.
Other conditions can affect the
performance of the transmitter. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System028.
With Remote Start Shown
The following buttons are on the
transmitter:
Q: Press to lock all doors and the
liftgate or trunk. The turn signal
indicators may flash and/or the horn may sound on the second press to
indicate locking. See
Vehicle
Personalization 0129.
If the driver door is open when
Qis
pressed, all doors lock except the
driver door, if Open Door
Anti-Lockout is enabled through
vehicle personalization. See Vehicle
Personalization 0129. If the
passenger door is open when
Qis
pressed, all doors lock.
Pressing
Qmay also arm the
theft-deterrent system. See Vehicle
Alarm System 044.
K:Press to unlock the driver door,
or all doors and the liftgate or trunk.
The turn signal indicators flash to
indicate unlocking has occurred.
See Vehicle Personalization 0129.
Pressing
Kmay also disarm the
theft-deterrent system. See Vehicle
Alarm System 044.
Y:If equipped, press and hold to
release the trunk.
7: Press and release one time to
initiate vehicle locator. The exterior
lamps flash and the horn chirps
three times. Press and hold
7for at
least three seconds to sound the
panic alarm. The horn sounds and
the turn signals flash for 30 seconds
until
7is pressed again, or until the
ignition is turned on using the key.
/: If equipped, press and releaseQand then immediately press and
hold
/for at least four seconds or
until the turn signal lamps flash to
start the engine from outside the
vehicle using the RKE transmitter.
See Remote Vehicle Start 037.
The buttons on the RKE transmitter
are disabled when there is a key in
the ignition.
Programming Keys to the
Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmed
to this vehicle will work. If a
transmitter is lost or stolen, a
replacement can be purchased and
programmed through your dealer.
When the replacement transmitter is

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
Keys, Doors, and Windows 31
Battery Replacement
The battery is not rechargeable. To
replace the battery:
Caution
When replacing the battery, do
not touch any of the circuitry on
the transmitter. Static from your
body could damage the
transmitter.
1. Press the button on the transmitter to extend the key.
2. Remove the battery cover by prying with a finger.
3. Remove the old battery.
4. Insert the new battery, positive side facing up. Replace with a
CR2032 or equivalent battery.
5. Snap the battery cover back on to the transmitter.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation
(Keyless Access)
The Keyless Access system allows
for vehicle entry when the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter is
within 1 m (3 ft). See “Keyless
Access Operation” following.
The RKE transmitter functions may
work up to 60 m (197 ft) away from
the vehicle.
Other conditions can impact the
performance of the transmitter.
With Remote Start Shown
Q: Press once to lock all doors and
the liftgate or trunk.
The turn signal indicators may flash
and/or the horn may sound on the
second press to indicate locking.
If any door is open when
Qis
pressed, all doors will lock,
if disabled through vehicle
personalization. If enabled, only the
driver door unlocks. See Vehicle
Personalization 0129.
Pressing
Qmay also arm the alarm
system. See Vehicle Alarm System
0 44.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
32 Keys, Doors, and Windows
K:Press to unlock the driver door
and the liftgate or trunk. Press again
to unlock all doors.
The turn signal indicators may flash
to indicate unlocking has occurred.
See Vehicle Personalization 0129.
Pressing
Kwill disarm the alarm
system. See Vehicle Alarm System
0 44.
X:If equipped, press twice to
release the trunk.
7: Press and release one time to
initiate vehicle locator. The exterior
lamps flash and the horn chirps
three times.
Press and hold
7for at least
three seconds to sound the panic
alarm. The horn sounds and the
turn signals flash for about
30 seconds until
7is pressed again
or the ignition is turned on.
/: If equipped, pressQand then
immediately press and hold
/for at
least four seconds or until the turn
signal lamps flash to start the
engine from outside the vehicle
using the RKE transmitter. See
Remote Vehicle Start 037.
Keyless Access Operation
Some vehicles have a Keyless
Access system that lets you lock
and unlock the doors without
removing the RKE transmitter from
your pocket, purse, briefcase, etc.
The RKE transmitter should be
within 1 m (3 ft) of the trunk or door
being opened. If the vehicle has this
feature, there will be buttons on the
outside door handles.
Keyless Access can be
programmed to unlock all doors on
the first unlock/lock button press
from the driver door. See Vehicle
Personalization 0129. Keyless Unlocking/Locking from
the Driver Door
When the doors are locked and the
RKE transmitter is within 1 m (3 ft)
of the driver door handle, pressing
the lock/unlock button on the driver
door handle will unlock the driver
door. If the lock/unlock button is
pressed again within five seconds,
all passenger doors will unlock. Pull
the door handle to unlatch the door.
Driver Side Shown, Passenger
Side Similar