Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
Driving and Operating 177
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.See your dealer if there is a
problem.
Curve Tips
.
Take curves at a reasonable
speed.
. Reduce speed before entering a
curve.
. Maintain a reasonable steady
speed through the curve.
. Wait until the vehicle is out of
the curve before accelerating
gently into the straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
.There are some situations when
steering around a problem may
be more effective than braking.
. Holding both sides of the
steering wheel allows you to turn
180 degrees without removing
a hand.
. The Antilock Brake System
(ABS) allows steering while
braking.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle's right wheels can drop
off the edge of a road onto the
shoulder while driving. Follow
these tips:
1. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the
way, steer the vehicle so that it
straddles the edge of the
pavement.
2. Turn the steering wheel about one-eighth of a turn, until the
right front tire contacts the
pavement edge.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
Vehicle Care 289
can be removed by rubbing with a
clean cloth. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0306.
Tires
Use a stiff brush with tire cleaner to
clean the tires.
Caution
Using petroleum-based tire
dressing products on the vehicle
may damage the paint finish and/
or tires. When applying a tire
dressing, always wipe off any
overspray from all painted
surfaces on the vehicle.
Wheels and Wheel Trim
Use a soft, clean cloth with mild
soap and water to clean the wheels.
After rinsing thoroughly with clean
water, dry with a soft, clean towel.
A wax may then be applied.
Caution
Chrome wheels and chrome
wheel trim may be damaged if the
vehicle is not washed after driving
on roads that have been sprayed
with magnesium chloride or
calcium chloride. These are used
on roads for conditions such as
dust and ice. Always wash the
chrome with soap and water after
exposure.
Caution
To avoid surface damage on
wheels and wheel trim, do not
use strong soaps, chemicals,
abrasive polishes, cleaners,
or brushes. Use only GM
approved cleaners. Do not drive
the vehicle through an automatic
car wash that uses silicone
carbide tire/wheel cleaning
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
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.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-12461769) -
2019 - crc - 5/21/18
346 Index
PersonalizationVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Phone Apple CarPlay andAndroid Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156, 157
Port
USB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Power Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Protection, Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Reduced Engine Light . . . . . . . . 124
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . 192
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Power Steering Warning Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . . . . 68
Privacy Vehicle Data Recording . . . . . . . 325
Program Courtesy Transportation . . . . . . 319
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Proposition 65 Warning,
California . . . . . . . . . . . .222, 239, 279, Back CoverPublication Ordering
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
R
Radio Frequency Statement . . . . 323
Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Radios
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Satellite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . 209
Rear Window Washer/Wiper . . . . 108
Rearview Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Records Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . 283
Reduced Engine Power Light . . . 124
Reimbursement Program, GM Mobility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29, 35
Remote Vehicle Start . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Replacement Parts
Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Replacing Airbag System . . . . . . . . 81
Replacing LATCH System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Replacing Seat Belt System
Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government . . . . . . . . 324
General Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
U.S. Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Restraints Where to Put . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Roads Driving, Wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Roadside Assistance Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Roof
Sunroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Rotation, Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Routing, Engine Drive Belt . . . . . . 312
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196