
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
172 Driving and Operating
.Focus on the task of driving.
Drunk Driving
Death and injury associated with
drinking and driving is a global
tragedy.
{Warning
Drinking and then driving is very
dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even
a small amount of alcohol. You
can have a serious —or even
fatal —collision if you drive after
drinking.
Do not drink and drive or ride with
a driver who has been drinking.
Ride home in a cab; or if you are
with a group, designate a driver
who will not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and accelerating
are important factors in helping to
control a vehicle while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. Deciding to
push the brake pedal is perception
time. Actually doing it is
reaction time.
Average driver reaction time is
about three-quarters of a second. In
that time, a vehicle moving at
100 km/h (60 mph) travels 20 m
(66 ft), which could be a lot of
distance in an emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mind
include:
. Keep enough distance between
you and the vehicle in front
of you.
. Avoid needless heavy braking.
. Keep pace with traffic.
If the engine ever stops while the
vehicle is being driven, brake
normally but do not pump the
brakes. Doing so could make the
pedal harder to push down. If the
engine stops, there will be some
power brake assist but it will be
used when the brake is applied. Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop and the
brake pedal will be harder to push.
Steering
Electric Power Steering
The vehicle has electric power
steering. It does not have power
steering fluid. Regular maintenance
is not required.
If power steering assist is lost due
to a system malfunction, the vehicle
can be steered, but may require
increased effort. See your dealer if
there is a problem.
If the steering wheel is turned until it
reaches the end of its travel and is
held against that position for an
extended period of time, power
steering assist may be reduced.
If the steering assist is used for an
extended period of time while the
vehicle is not moving, power assist
may be reduced.
Normal use of the power steering
assist should return when the
system cools down.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
Vehicle Care 287
Caution
Chrome wheels and other chrome
trim may be damaged if the
vehicle is not washed after driving
on roads that have been sprayed
with magnesium, calcium,
or sodium chloride. These
chlorides are used on roads for
conditions such as ice and dust.
Always wash the chrome with
soap and water after exposure.
Caution
To avoid surface damage, do not
use strong soaps, chemicals,
abrasive polishes, cleaners,
brushes, or cleaners that contain
acid on aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels. Use only
approved cleaners. Also, never
drive a vehicle with aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels through an
automatic car wash that uses(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
silicone carbide tire cleaning
brushes. Damage could occur
and the repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Brake System
Visually inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding,
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect
disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Inspect drum
brake linings/shoes for wear or
cracks. Inspect all other brake parts.
Steering, Suspension, and
Chassis Components
Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of wear at
least once a year.
Inspect power steering for proper
attachment, connections, binding,
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Visually check constant velocity joint
boots and axle seals for leaks.
Body Component Lubrication
Lubricate all key lock cylinders,
hood hinges, liftgate hinges, and the
steel fuel door hinges, unless the
components are plastic. Applying
silicone grease on weatherstrips
with a clean cloth will make them
last longer, seal better, and not stick
or squeak.
Underbody Maintenance
At least twice a year, spring and fall,
use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the
underbody. Take care to thoroughly
clean any areas where mud and
other debris can collect.
Do not directly power wash the
transfer case and/or front/rear axle
output seals. High pressure water
can overcome the seals and
contaminate the fluid. Contaminated
fluid will decrease the life of the
transfer case and/or axles and
should be replaced.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-11373973) -
2018 - crc - 10/9/17
344 Index
Passenger Sensing System . . . . . 73
Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements, California . . . . . . 216
Personalization Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Phone Apple CarPlay and
Android Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153, 154
Port USB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Reduced Engine Light . . . . . . . . 121
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . 187
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Power Steering Warning Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . . . . 65
Privacy Vehicle Data Recording . . . . . . . 323
Program
Courtesy Transportation . . . . . . 317 Proposition
65 Warning,
California . . . . . . . . . . . .215, 235, 277,
Back Cover
R
Radio Frequency Statement . . . . 321
Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
RadiosAM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Satellite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . 203
Rear Window Washer/Wiper . . . . 105
Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Records Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . 280
Reduced Engine Power Light . . . 121
Reimbursement Program, GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . 28, 29, 31
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Replacement Parts
Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . . . 79
Replacing LATCH System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Replacing Seat Belt System
Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government . . . . . . . . 322
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Restraints Where to Put . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Roads Driving, Wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Roof
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Rotation, Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Routing, Engine Drive Belt . . . . . . 310
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191