
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
Driving and Operating 207
Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already activated:
.Move the thumbwheel up toward
RES/+ and hold it until the
desired speed is reached, then
release it.
. To increase the vehicle speed in
small increments, move the
thumbwheel up toward RES/+
briefly and then release it. For
each press, the vehicle goes
about 1 km/h (1 mph) faster.
The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units. See Driver Information Center
(DIC) 0126. The increment value
used depends on the units
displayed. Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is
already activated:
.
Move the thumbwheel toward
SET/− and hold until the desired
lower speed is reached, then
release it.
. To decrease the vehicle speed in
smaller increments, move the
thumbwheel toward SET/−
briefly. For each press, the
vehicle goes about 1 km/h
(1 mph) slower.
The speedometer reading can be
displayed in either English or metric
units. See Driver Information Center
(DIC) 0126. The increment value
used depends on the units
displayed.
Passing Another Vehicle While
Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to
increase the vehicle speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, the
vehicle slows down to the previous
set cruise control speed. While pressing the accelerator pedal or
shortly following the release to
override cruise control, briefly
moving the thumbwheel toward
SET/- will result in cruise control set
to the current vehicle speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well cruise control works on
hills depends on the vehicle speed,
load, and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you
might have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain the
vehicle speed. When going
downhill, you might have to brake or
shift to a lower gear to keep your
speed down. If the brake pedal is
applied, cruise control will
disengage.
Ending Cruise Control
There are five ways to end cruise
control:
.
To disengage cruise control,
step lightly on the brake pedal.
. Press the clutch pedal for
several seconds or shift to
Neutral (manual transmissions).

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
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Driving and Operating 219
Warning (Continued)
Contact should be
maintained until the filling is
complete.
. Do not smoke while
pumping fuel.
. Avoid using electronic
devices.
Trailer Towing
General Towing
Information
{Warning
Never tow a trailer with your
vehicle. It was not designed or
intended to tow a trailer.
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service and
Emission Inspection/Maintenance
testing. See Malfunction Indicator
Lamp (Check Engine Light) 0116.
A device connected to the DLC —
such as an aftermarket fleet or
driver-behavior tracking device —
may interfere with vehicle
systems. This could affect vehicle
operation and cause a crash.
Such devices may also access
information stored in the vehicle’s
systems.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
222 Vehicle Care
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . 278
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - NorthAmerica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Recreational VehicleTowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
General Information
For service and parts needs, visit
your dealer. You will receive
genuine GM parts and GM-trained
and supported service people.
Genuine GM parts have one of
these marks:
California Proposition
65 Warning
{Warning
Most motor vehicles, including
this one, as well as many of its
service parts and fluids, contain
and/or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and
systems, many fluids, and some
component wear by-products
contain and/or emit these
chemicals. For more information
go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
See Battery - North America 0239
and Jump Starting - North America
0 279 and the back cover.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
224 Vehicle Care
If equipped with remote vehicle
start, open the hood before
performing any service work to
prevent remote starting the vehicle
accidentally. SeeRemote Vehicle
Start 038.
Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of
any service work performed. See
Maintenance Records 0308.
Caution
Even small amounts of
contamination can cause damage
to vehicle systems. Do not allow
contaminants to contact the fluids,
reservoir caps, or dipsticks.
Hood
To open the hood:
1. Pull the hood release handle
inside the vehicle. It is located
on the lower left side of the
instrument panel.
2. Go to the front of the vehicleand move the secondary hood
release lever toward the right
side of the vehicle.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
Vehicle Care 227
1.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0231.
2. Engine Oil Dipstick. See Engine Oil 0227.
3. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View). See Cooling System
0 232.
4. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine Oil 0227.
5. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See
Cooling System 0232.
6. Brake/Clutch Fluid Reservoir. See Brake Fluid 0238 and
Hydraulic Clutch 0231.
7. Battery - North America 0239.
8. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
0 237.
9. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block 0249.Engine Oil
To ensure proper engine
performance and long life, careful
attention must be paid to engine oil.
Following these simple, but
important steps will help protect
your investment:
.
Use engine oil approved to the
proper specification and of the
proper viscosity grade. See
“Selecting the Right Engine Oil”
in this section.
. Check the engine oil level
regularly and maintain the
proper oil level. See “Checking
Engine Oil” and“When to Add
Engine Oil” in this section.
. Change the engine oil at the
appropriate time. See Engine Oil
Life System 0229.
. Always dispose of engine oil
properly. See “What to Do with
Used Oil” in this section.
If the engine oil pressure light
comes on, check the engine oil level
right away. The oil pressure light is
on the instrument cluster. See
Engine Oil Pressure Light 0123.
Check the engine oil level regularly;
this is an added reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
Check the engine oil level regularly,
every 650 km (400 mi), especially
prior to a long trip. The engine oil
dipstick handle is a loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0 226 for the location.
{Warning
The engine oil dipstick handle
may be hot; it could burn you.
Use a towel or glove to touch the
dipstick handle.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
228 Vehicle Care
If a low oil Driver Information Center
(DIC) message displays, check the
oil level.
Follow these guidelines:
.To get an accurate reading, park
the vehicle on level ground.
Check the engine oil level after
the engine has been off for at
least two hours. Checking the
engine oil level on steep grades
or too soon after engine shutoff
can result in incorrect readings.
Accuracy improves when
checking a cold engine prior to
starting. Remove the dipstick
and check the level.
. If unable to wait two hours, the
engine must be off for at least
15 minutes if the engine is
warm, or at least 30 minutes if
the engine is not warm. Pull out
the dipstick, wipe it with a clean
paper towel or cloth, then push it
back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and
check the level.When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched
area at the tip of the dipstick and
the engine has been off for at least
15 minutes, add 1 L (1 qt) of the
recommended oil and then recheck
the level. See “Selecting the Right
Engine Oil” later in this section for
an explanation of what kind of oil to
use. For engine oil crankcase
capacity, see Capacities and
Specifications 0310.
Caution
Do not add too much oil. Oil
levels above or below the
acceptable operating range
shown on the dipstick are harmful
to the engine. If you find that you
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
have an oil level above the
operating range, i.e., the engine
has so much oil that the oil level
gets above the upper mark that
shows the proper operating
range, the engine could be
damaged. You should drain out
the excess oil or limit driving of
the vehicle and seek a service
professional to remove the
excess amount of oil.
See Engine Compartment Overview
0 226 for the location of the engine
oil fill cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when through.
Selecting the Right Engine Oil
Selecting the right engine oil
depends on both the proper oil
specification and viscosity grade.
See Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0306.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
Vehicle Care 247
4. Remove the bulb socket fromthe taillamp assembly by
turning it counterclockwise.
5. Remove the bulb by pulling it straight out.
6. Install a new bulb into the bulb socket.
7. Install the bulb socket into the taillamp assembly by turning it
clockwise.
8. Install the taillamp assembly and tighten the two screws.License Plate Lamp
Lamp Assembly
Bulb Assembly
1. Bulb Socket
2. Bulb
3. Lamp Assembly
To replace one of these bulbs:
1. Push the left end of the lamp assembly toward the right.
2. Turn the lamp assembly down to remove it.
3. Turn the bulb socket (1) counterclockwise to remove it
from the lamp assembly (3).
4. Pull the bulb (2) straight out of the bulb socket (1).
5. Push the replacement bulb straight into the bulb socket
and turn the bulb socket
clockwise to install it into the
lamp assembly.
6. Turn the lamp assembly into the lamp assembly opening
engaging the clip side first.
7. Push on the lamp side opposite the clip until the lamp assembly
snaps into place.

Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
266 Vehicle Care
unusual wear continues after the
rotation, check the wheel
alignment.
SeeWhen It Is Time for New
Tires 0266 andWheel
Replacement 0271.
Use this rotation pattern when
rotating the tires.
Do not include the compact
spare tire in the tire rotation.
Adjust the front and rear tires to
the recommended inflation
pressure on the Tire and
Loading Information label after the tires have been rotated.
See
Tire Pressure 0260 and
Vehicle Load Limits 0181.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor
System. See Tire Pressure
Monitor Operation 0262.
Check that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See “Wheel
Nut Torque” underCapacities
and Specifications 0310.
{Warning
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
make wheel nuts become loose
after time. The wheel could come
off and cause a crash. When
changing a wheel, remove any
rust or dirt from places where the
wheel attaches to the vehicle. In
an emergency, a cloth or a paper
towel can be used; however, use
a scraper or wire brush later to
remove all rust or dirt.
Lightly coat the center of the
wheel hub with wheel bearing
grease after a wheel change or
tire rotation to prevent corrosion
or rust build-up. Do not get
grease on the flat wheel
mounting surface or on the
wheel nuts or bolts.
When It Is Time for New
Tires
Factors such as maintenance,
temperatures, driving speeds,
vehicle loading, and road conditions
affect the wear rate of the tires.