Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
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.
u:
Air Conditioning System
G:Air Conditioning Refrigerant Oil
9:Airbag Readiness Light
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
$:Brake System Warning Light
9:Dispose of Used Components
Properly
P: Do Not Apply High Pressure
Water
B: Engine Coolant Temperature
_: Flame/Fire Prohibited
H:Flammable
[:Forward Collision Alert
R: Fuse Block Cover Lock
Location
+: Fuses
j:ISOFIX/LATCH System Child
Restraints
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
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 0229.
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving tips
to get the best fuel economy
possible:
.
Set the climate controls to the
desired temperature after the
engine is started, or turn them
off when not required.
. 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
0 317.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
Keys, Doors, and Windows 39
When the engine starts, the parking
lamps will turn on and remain on as
long as the engine is running. The
doors will be locked and the climate
control system may come on.
The engine will continue to run for
15 minutes. After 30 seconds,
repeat the steps if a 15-minute
extension is desired. Remote start
can be extended only once.
Turn the ignition on before driving.
Extending Engine Run Time
The engine run time can also be
extended by another 15 minutes,
if during the first 15 minutes
Steps 1 and 2 are repeated while
the engine is still running. An
extension can be requested
30 seconds after starting. This
provides a total of 30 minutes.
When the remote start is extended,
the second 10-minute period is
added on to the first 15 minutes for
a total of 30 minutes.
A maximum of two remote starts,
or a single start with an extension,
are allowed between ignition cycles.After this, the ignition must be
turned on then off before the remote
start procedure can be used again.
Canceling a Remote Start
To cancel a remote start, do one of
the following:
.
Press and hold
/until the
parking lamps turn off.
. Turn on the hazard warning
flashers.
. Turn the vehicle on and then off.
Conditions in Which Remote Start
Will Not Work
The remote vehicle start feature will
not operate if:
. The key is in the ignition (Key
Access).
. A transmitter is in the vehicle
(Keyless Access).
. The hood is not closed.
. The hazard warning flashers
are on.
. The malfunction indicator lamp
is on. .
The engine coolant temperature
is too high.
. The oil pressure is low.
. Two remote vehicle starts, or a
single remote start with an
extension, have already
been used.
. The vehicle is not in P (Park).
Door Locks
{Warning
Unlocked doors can be
dangerous.
. Passengers, especially
children, can easily open
the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. The doors
can be unlocked and
opened while the vehicle is
moving. The chance of
being thrown out of the
vehicle in a crash is
increased if the doors are
not locked. So, all
(Continued)
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
Instruments and Controls 105
Instruments and
Controls
Controls
Steering Wheel Adjustment . . . 106
Steering Wheel Controls . . . . . . 106
Heated Steering Wheel . . . . . . . 107
Horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Windshield Wiper/Washer . . . . 107
Rear Window Wiper/Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Warning Lights, Gauges, and
Indicators
Warning Lights, Gauges, and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Fuel Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . 114
Airbag Readiness Light . . . . . . . 114 Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Charging System Light . . . . . . . 116
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) . . . . . . . . 116
Service Vehicle Soon Light . . . 118
Owner Manual Indicator . . . . . . 118
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Operate Pedal Light . . . . . . . . . . 119
Up-Shift Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Power Steering Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Vehicle Ahead Indicator . . . . . . 121
Ultrasonic Parking Sensor Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Traction Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
StabiliTrak OFF Light . . . . . . . . . 121
Traction Control System (TCS)/ StabiliTrak Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Tire Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Engine Oil Pressure Light . . . . 123 Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . 123
Immobilizer Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Reduced Engine Power
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
High-Beam On Light . . . . . . . . . . 124
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . 124
Lamps On Reminder . . . . . . . . . 125
Cruise Control Light . . . . . . . . . . 125
Hood Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Door Ajar Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Information Displays
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Vehicle Messages
Vehicle Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Engine Power Messages . . . . . 131
Vehicle Speed Messages . . . . . 132
Vehicle Personalization
Vehicle Personalization . . . . . . . 132
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
Vehicle Care 229
Specification
Use full synthetic engine oils that
meet the dexos1 specification.
Engine oils that have been
approved by GM as meeting the
dexos1 specification are marked
with the dexos1 approved logo. See
www.gmdexos.com.
Caution
Failure to use the recommended
engine oil or equivalent can result
in engine damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Viscosity Grade
Use SAE 5W-30 viscosity grade
engine oil. Cold Temperature Operation: In an
area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below
−29 °C
(−20 °F), an SAE 0W-30 oil may be
used. An oil of this viscosity grade
will provide easier cold starting for
the engine at extremely low
temperatures. When selecting an oil
of the appropriate viscosity grade, it
is recommended to select an oil of
the correct specification. See
“Specification” earlier in this section.
Engine Oil Additives/Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil. The
recommended oils meeting the
dexos1 specification are all that is
needed for good performance and
engine protection.
Engine oil system flushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your
own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the filter before disposal. Never
dispose of oil by putting it in the
trash or pouring it on the ground,
into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Recycle it by taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and filter. This is based
on a combination of factors which
include engine revolutions, engine
temperature, and miles driven.
Based on driving conditions, the
mileage at which an oil change is
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
Vehicle Care 233
Warning (Continued)
Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood
electric fan.
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator
hoses, or other engine parts.
They can be very hot and can
burn you. Do not run the engine if
there is a leak; all coolant could
leak out. That could cause an
engine fire and can burn you. Fix
any leak before driving the
vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in the vehicle for 5 years or
240 000 km (150,000 mi), whichever
occurs first.The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
see
Engine Overheating 0236.
What to Use
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such
as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. With
plain water or the wrong mixture,
the engine could get too hot but
there would not be an overheat
warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be
burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. This mixture:
. Gives freezing protection down
to−37 °C (−34 °F), outside
temperature. .
Gives boiling protection up to
129 °C (265 °F), engine
temperature.
. Protects against rust and
corrosion.
. Will not damage aluminum parts.
. Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.Caution
Do not use anything other than a
mix of DEX-COOL coolant that
meets GM Standard
GMW3420 and clean, drinkable
water. Anything else can cause
damage to the engine cooling
system and the vehicle, which
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Never dispose of engine coolant by
putting it in the trash, pouring it on
the ground, or into sewers, streams,
or bodies of water. Have the coolant
changed by an authorized service
center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
342 Index
Driving (cont'd)Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
E
Electrical Equipment,
Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Electrical System Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 248
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Emergency OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Check Light (MalfunctionIndicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 226
Coolant Temperature
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 312 Engine (cont'd)
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Reduced Power Light . . . . . . . . . 124
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 196
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 325
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 135
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
F
Filter,
Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 137
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293 Fluid
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 230
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . 120
Frequency Statement
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Front Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Economy Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 123
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
344 Index
K
Keyless EntryRemote (RKE) System . . . . . 29, 35
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . . . 255
Lamps Courtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . 136
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Exterior Lighting BatterySaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
License Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Malfunction Indicator
(Check Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Lane Departure Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
LATCH System
Replacing Parts after aCrash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 LATCH, Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Lighting Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Lights Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Antilock Brake System(ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Brake System Warning . . . . . . . .118
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning . . . . . . . 122
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 123
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Front Fog Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
High-Beam On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 136
Hood Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Lane Departure Warning . . . . . . 120
Low Fuel Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Lights (cont'd)
Operate Pedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Reduced Engine Power . . . . . . 124
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . .114
Service Vehicle Soon . . . . . . . . . .118
StabiliTrak OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Traction Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Ultrasonic Parking Sensor . . . . 121
Up-Shift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Warning, Power Steering . . . . . 120
Load Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Locks
Automatic Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . 123
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Lumbar Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Front Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57