
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
Introduction 3
Danger, Warning, and
Caution
Warning messages found on vehicle
labels and in this manual describe
hazards and what to do to avoid or
reduce 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.
A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means“Do
Not,” “Do not do this,” or“Do not let
this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead of
text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or
information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gauge, or indicator.
M: Shown when the owner ’s
manual has additional instructions
or information.
*: Shown when the service
manual has additional instructions
or information.
0: Shown when there is more
information on another page —
“see page.” Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. See the
features in this manual for
information.
9:
Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
$: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
.:Fuel Gauge
+: Fuses
3:Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j: ISOFIX/LATCH System Child
Restraints

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
10 In Brief
Keyless Access
The RKE transmitter must be within
1 m (3 ft) of the door being opened.
Press the button on the door handle
to open. See“Keyless Access
Operation” underRemote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation (Key
Access) 029 orRemote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation
(Keyless Access) 031.
Liftgate (Hatchback)
To lock or unlock the liftgate or trunk
from the inside, press
QorKon
the central locking switch or on the
driver door switch.
The vehicle must be in P (Park) for
automatic transmissions. For
manual transmissions the parking
brake must be engaged.
To open the liftgate from the
outside, press
Kon the RKE
transmitter to unlock all doors, then
use the touch pad.
See Liftgate (Hatchback) 043.
Trunk Release (Sedan)
To lock or unlock the trunk from the
inside, press
QorKon the central
locking switch or on the driver door
switch.
To open the trunk from inside the
vehicle press
V.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
In Brief 25
Engine Oil Life System
The engine oil life system calculates
engine oil life based on vehicle use
and displays the
:% CHANGE
message on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) when it is necessary to
change the engine oil and filter.
Remember, the oil life display must
be reset after each oil change. It will
not reset itself.
Resetting the Oil Life System
1. Press MENU to show Remaining Oil Life on the
display. This display shows an
estimate of the oil’s remaining
useful life. If 99% is displayed,
that means that 99% of the
current oil life remains.
2. To reset the engine oil life system, press SET/CLR while
the oil life display is active.
Select YES and press and hold
SET/CLR. After a few seconds,
there will be a single chime and
the oil life will be reset
to 100%. 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.
See
Engine Oil Life System 0224.
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving tips
to get the best fuel economy
possible.
.
Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
. Brake gradually and avoid
abrupt stops.
. Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
. When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control.
. Always follow posted speed
limits or drive more slowly when
conditions require. .
Keep vehicle tires properly
inflated.
. Combine several trips into a
single trip.
. Replace the vehicle's tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire's sidewall
near the size.
. Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Roadside Assistance
Program
U.S.: 1-800-243-8872
TTY Users (U.S. Only):
1-888-889-2438
Canada: 1-800-268-6800
New Chevrolet owners are
automatically enrolled in the
Roadside Assistance Program.
See Roadside Assistance Program
0 315.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
36 Keys, Doors, and Windows
When all additional transmitters
are programmed, press and
hold ENGINE START/STOP for
10 seconds to exit
programming mode.
Starting the Vehicle with a Low
Transmitter Battery
While trying to start the vehicle,
if the transmitter battery is weak, the
DIC may display NO REMOTE
DETECTED. The REPLACE
BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY
message may also be displayed at
this time.1. Place the transmitter in the front cupholder.
2. With the vehicle in P (Park) orN (Neutral), press the brake
pedal and press ENGINE
START/STOP. See Starting the
Engine 0184.
Replace the transmitter battery
as soon as possible.
Battery Replacement
Replace the battery if the REPLACE
BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY
message displays in the DIC.
Caution
When replacing the battery, do
not touch any of the circuitry on
the transmitter. Static from your
body could damage the
transmitter.
The battery is not rechargeable. To
replace the battery:
1. Press the button on the side of the transmitter near the bottom
and pull the key out.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
40 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Free-Turning Locks
The door key lock cylinder turns
freely when either the wrong key is
used, or the correct key is not fully
inserted. The free-turning door lock
feature prevents the lock from being
forced open. To reset the lock, turn
it to the vertical position with the
correct key fully inserted. Remove
the key and insert it again. If this
does not reset the lock, turn the key
halfway around in the cylinder and
repeat the reset procedure.
Delayed Locking
This feature delays the actual
locking of the doors until
five seconds after all doors are
closed. Delayed locking can only be
turned on when the Open Door
Anti-Lockout feature has been
turned off.
When
Qis pressed on the driver or
passenger door power lock switch
while the door is open, a chime will
sound three times to indicate that
delayed locking is active. The doors will then lock automatically
five seconds after all doors are
closed.
If a door is reopened before
five seconds have elapsed, the
five-second timer will reset once all
the doors are closed again. Press
Q
on the door lock switch again,
or press
Qon the RKE transmitter,
to override this feature and lock the
doors immediately.
Delayed locking can be
programmed. See Vehicle
Personalization 0129.
Automatic Door Locks
The vehicle is programmed so that
when the doors are closed, the
ignition is on, and the shift lever is
moved out of P (Park) for automatic
transmissions, or when the vehicle
speed is above 13 km/h (8 mph) for
manual transmissions, the doors
and the trunk/liftgate will lock.
If a vehicle door is unlocked and
then opened and closed, the doors
will lock either when your foot is removed from the brake or the
vehicle speed becomes faster than
13 km/h (8 mph).
To unlock the doors and the trunk/
liftgate:
.
Press
Kon the center stack or
the driver door switch.
. If equipped with an automatic
transmission the vehicle must be
in P (Park).
. If equipped with a manual
transmission the vehicle must be
in Neutral with the parking
brake set.
This feature can be programmed.
See Vehicle Personalization 0129.
Lockout Protection
If the ignition is on or in ACC/
ACCESSORY and the power door
lock switch is pressed with the
driver door open, all the doors will
lock and only the driver door will
unlock.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
44 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Warning (Continued)
highest setting. See
“Climate Control Systems”
in the Index.
. If the vehicle is equipped
with a power liftgate, disable
the power liftgate function.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, see Engine
Exhaust 0190.
To lock or unlock the liftgate from
the inside, press
QorKon the
central locking switch or on the
driver door switch.
The vehicle must be in P (Park) for
automatic transmissions. For
manual transmissions the parking
brake must be engaged.
To open the liftgate from the
outside, press
Kon the RKE
transmitter to unlock all doors, then
use the touch pad.
See Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation (Key Access)
0 29 orRemote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation (Keyless
Access) 031.
When closing the liftgate, close from
the center to ensure that it fully
latches.
Vehicle Security
This vehicle has theft-deterrent
features; however, they do not make
the vehicle impossible to steal.
Vehicle Alarm System
This vehicle has an anti-theft alarm
system.
The indicator light on the instrument
panel near the windshield indicates
the status of the system.
Off : Vehicle is disarmed.
On Solid : Vehicle is secured
during the delay to arm the system.
Fast Flash : Vehicle is unsecured.
A door, the hood, or the trunk/
liftgate is open.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
Seats and Restraints 73
fuel system after the airbags inflate.
The feature may also activate,
without airbag inflation, after an
event that exceeds a predetermined
threshold. After turning the ignition
off and then on again, the fuel
system will return to normal
operation; the doors can be locked,
the interior lamps can be turned off,
and the hazard warning flashers can
be turned off using the controls for
those features. If any of these
systems are damaged in the crash
they may not operate as normal.
{Warning
A crash severe enough to inflate
the airbags may have also
damaged important functions in
the vehicle, such as the fuel
system, brake and steering
systems, etc. Even if the vehicle
appears to be drivable after a
moderate crash, there may be
concealed damage that could
make it difficult to safely operate
the vehicle.(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Use caution if you should attempt
to restart the engine after a crash
has occurred.
In many crashes severe enough to
inflate the airbag, windshields are
broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage may
also occur from the front outboard
passenger airbag.
. Airbags are designed to inflate
only once. After an airbag
inflates, you will need some new
parts for the airbag system.
If you do not get them, the
airbag system will not be there
to help protect you in another
crash. A new system will include
airbag modules and possibly
other parts. The service manual
for the vehicle covers the need
to replace other parts.
. The vehicle has a crash sensing
and diagnostic module which
records information after a
crash. See
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy 0323 andEvent Data
Recorders 0323.
. Let only qualified technicians
work on the airbag systems.
Improper service can mean that
an airbag system will not work
properly. See your dealer for
service.
Passenger Sensing
System
The vehicle has a passenger
sensing system for the front
outboard passenger position. The
passenger airbag status indicator
will light on the instrument panel
when the vehicle is started.
United States

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
102 Instruments and Controls
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 103
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 103
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 104
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 104
Rear Window Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . 111
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 111 Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 113
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 113
Service Vehicle Soon Light . . . 115
Owner Manual Indicator . . . . . . 115
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Operate Pedal Light . . . . . . . . . . 116
Up-Shift Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Power Steering Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . . 118
Ultrasonic Parking Sensor Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . 118
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 120 Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 120
Immobilizer Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Reduced Engine Power
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 121
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . 121
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 122
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 122
Hood Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 128
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . 129
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 129