Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
Vehicle Care 215
If coolant is visible but the coolant
level is not at or above the mark
pointed to, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean drinkable water and
DEX-COOL coolant.
Be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done.
If no coolant is visible in the coolant
surge tank, add coolant as follows:
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system are under
pressure. Turning the pressure
cap, even a little, can cause them
to come out at high speed and
you could be burned. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
pressure cap to cool.
{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.
{Warning
Spilling coolant on hot engine
parts can burn you. Coolant
contains ethylene glycol and it will
burn if the engine parts are hot
enough.
Caution
Failure to follow the specific
coolant fill procedure could cause
the engine to overheat and could
cause system damage. If coolant
is not visible in the surge tank,
contact your dealer.
If no problem is found, check to see
if coolant is visible in the coolant
surge tank. If coolant is visible but
the coolant level is not at the
indicated level mark, add a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant at the
coolant surge tank, but be sure the
cooling system, including the
coolant surge tank pressure cap, is
cool before you do it.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
Vehicle Care 267
Caution (Continued)
your dealer. Follow all
manufacturer directions regarding
correct product usage, necessary
safety precautions, and
appropriate disposal of any
vehicle care product.
Caution
Avoid using high-pressure
washes closer than 30 cm (12 in)
to the surface of the vehicle. Use
of power washers exceeding
8 274 kPa (1,200 psi) can result
in damage or removal of paint
and decals.
Caution
Do not power wash any
component under the hood that
has this
esymbol.(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
This could cause damage that
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
If using an automatic car wash,
follow the car wash instructions. The
windshield wiper and rear window
wiper, if equipped, must be off.
Remove any accessories that may
be damaged or interfere with the car
wash equipment.
Rinse the vehicle well, before
washing and after, to remove all
cleaning agents completely. If they
are allowed to dry on the surface,
they could stain.
Dry the finish with a soft, clean
chamois or an all-cotton towel to
avoid surface scratches and water
spotting.
Finish Care
Application of aftermarket clearcoat
sealant/wax materials is not
recommended. If painted surfaces
are damaged, see your dealer to have the damage assessed and
repaired. Foreign materials such as
calcium chloride and other salts, ice
melting agents, road oil and tar, tree
sap, bird droppings, chemicals from
industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage the vehicle's finish if they
remain on painted surfaces. Wash
the vehicle as soon as possible.
If necessary, use non-abrasive
cleaners that are marked safe for
painted surfaces to remove foreign
matter.
Occasional hand waxing or mild
polishing should be done to remove
residue from the paint finish. See
your dealer for approved cleaning
products.
Do not apply waxes or polishes to
uncoated plastic, vinyl, rubber,
decals, simulated wood, or flat paint
as damage can occur.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
Vehicle Care 271
Sheet Metal Damage
If the vehicle is damaged and
requires sheet metal repair or
replacement, make sure the body
repair shop applies anti-corrosion
material to parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion
protection.
Original manufacturer replacement
parts will provide the corrosion
protection while maintaining the
vehicle warranty.
Finish Damage
Quickly repair minor chips and
scratches with touch-up materials
available from your dealer to avoid
corrosion. Larger areas of finish
damage can be corrected in your
dealer's body and paint shop.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Airborne pollutants can fall upon
and attack painted vehicle surfaces
causing blotchy, ring-shaped
discolorations, and small, irregular
dark spots etched into the paint
surface. See“Finish Care”
previously in this section.
Interior Care
To prevent dirt particle abrasions,
regularly clean the vehicle's interior.
Immediately remove any soils.
Newspapers or dark garments can
transfer color to the vehicle’s
interior.
Use a soft bristle brush to remove
dust from knobs and crevices on the
instrument cluster. Using a mild
soap solution, immediately remove
hand lotions, sunscreen, and insect
repellent from all interior surfaces or
permanent damage may result.
Use cleaners specifically designed
for the surfaces being cleaned to
prevent permanent damage. Apply
all cleaners directly to the cleaning
cloth. Do not spray cleaners on any
switches or controls. Remove
cleaners quickly.
Before using cleaners, read and
follow all safety instructions on the
label. While cleaning the interior,
open the doors and windows to get
proper ventilation. To prevent damage, do not clean
the interior using the following
cleaners or techniques:
.
Never use a razor or any other
sharp object to remove soil from
any interior surface.
. Never use a brush with stiff
bristles.
. Never rub any surface
aggressively or with too much
pressure.
. Do not use laundry detergents or
dishwashing soaps with
degreasers. For liquid cleaners,
use approximately 20 drops per
3.8 L (1 gal) of water.
A concentrated soap solution will
create streaks and attract dirt.
Do not use solutions that contain
strong or caustic soap.
. Do not heavily saturate the
upholstery when cleaning.
. Do not use solvents or cleaners
containing solvents.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
278 Service and Maintenance
Maintenance
Schedule
Owner Checks and Services
At Each Fuel Stop
.Check the engine oil level. See
Engine Oil 0208.
Once a Month
. Check the tire inflation
pressures. See Tire Pressure
0 240.
. Inspect the tires for wear. See
Tire Inspection 0245.
. Check the windshield washer
fluid level. See Washer Fluid
0 217.
Engine Oil Change
When a:% CHANGE message
displays in the DIC, have the engine
oil and filter changed within the next
1 000 km/600 mi. If driven under the
best conditions, the engine oil life
system may not indicate the need
for vehicle service for up to a year.
The engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year and
the oil life system must be reset.
Your trained dealer technician can
perform this work. If the engine oil
life system is reset accidentally,
service the vehicle within 5 000 km/
3,000 mi since the last service.
Reset the oil life system when the
oil is changed. See
Engine Oil Life
System 0210.
Air Conditioning Desiccant
(Replace Every Seven Years)
The air conditioning system requires
maintenance every seven years.
This service requires replacement of
the desiccant to help the longevity
and efficient operation of the air
conditioning system. This service
can be complex. See your dealer.
Tire Rotation and Required
Services Every 12 000 km/
7,500 mi
Rotate the tires, if recommended for
the vehicle, and perform the
following services. See Tire
Rotation 0246. .
Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed,
change engine oil and filter, and
reset oil life system. See Engine
Oil 0208 and
Engine Oil Life System 0210.
. Inspect the engine air cleaner
filter. See Engine Air Cleaner/
Filter 0212.
. Check engine coolant level. See
Cooling System 0213.
. Check windshield washer fluid
level. See Washer Fluid 0217.
. Check tire inflation pressures.
See Tire Pressure 0240.
. Inspect tire wear. See Tire
Inspection 0245.
. Visually check for fluid leaks.
. Inspect brake system. See
Exterior Care 0266.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
316 Connected Services
devices. Manage data usage by
turning Wi-Fi on or off on your
mobile device, using the
myChevrolet mobile app, or by
contacting an OnStar Advisor. On
some vehicles, Wi-Fi can also be
managed from the Wi-Fi
Hotspot menu.
MyChevrolet Mobile App (If
Available)
Download the myChevrolet mobile
app to compatible Apple and
Android smartphones. Chevrolet
users can access the following
services from a smartphone:
.Remotely start/stop the vehicle,
if factory-equipped.
. Lock/unlock doors, if equipped
with automatic locks.
. Activate the horn and lamps.
. Check the vehicle’s fuel level, oil
life, or tire pressure,
if factory-equipped with the Tire
Pressure Monitor System.
. Send destinations to the vehicle.
. Locate the vehicle on a map
(U.S. market only). .
Turn the vehicle's Wi-Fi hotspot
on/off, manage settings, and
monitor data consumption,
if equipped.
. Locate a dealer and schedule
service.
. Request roadside assistance.
. Set a parking reminder with pin
drop, take a photo, make a note,
and set a timer.
. Connect with Chevrolet on social
media.
Features are subject to change.
For myChevrolet mobile app
information and compatibility, see
my.chevrolet.com.
An active OnStar or connected
service plan may be required.
A compatible device,
factory-installed remote start, and
power locks are required. Data rates
apply. See www.onstar.com for
details and system limitations.
Remote Services
Contact an OnStar Advisor to
unlock the doors or sound the horn
and flash the lamps.
Marketplace
OnStar Advisors can provide offers
from restaurants and retailers on
your route, help locate hotels,
or book a room. These services
vary by market.
Diagnostics
By monitoring and reporting on the
vehicle's key systems, OnStar
Advanced Diagnostics, if equipped,
provides a way to keep up on
maintenance. Capabilities vary by
model. See www.onstar.com for
details and system limitations.
Features are subject to change. For
updates on feature capabilities, see
my.chevrolet.com. Message and
data rates may apply.
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
320 Index
Driving (cont'd)Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
E
Electrical Equipment,
Add-On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Electrical System
Engine Compartment FuseBlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . 229
Instrument Panel Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Emergency OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Check Light (MalfunctionIndicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Compartment Overview . . . . . . . 207
Coolant Temperature Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 Engine (cont'd)
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Reduced Power Light . . . . . . . . . 107
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . 180
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . 306
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Extended Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . 119
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
F
Filter,Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . 121
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . .211
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217 Fog Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Forward Collision Alert
(FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . 104
Frequency Statement
Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Front Fog Lamp Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Front Seat Armrest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Front Seats
Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Economy, Driving for Better . . . 159
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . 107
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Top Tier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Chevrolet Sonic Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-13566834) -
2020 - CRC - 10/4/19
322 Index
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall . . . . . . . . . . 235
LampsCourtesy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Daytime Running (DRL) . . . . . . 120
Dome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Exterior Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Exterior Lighting BatterySaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
License Plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Malfunction Indicator
(Check Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
On Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Lane Departure Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
LATCH System
Replacing Parts after aCrash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
LATCH, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Liftgate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Lighting Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Lighting (cont'd)
Illumination Control . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Lights Airbag Readiness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Antilock Brake System(ABS) Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Brake System Warning . . . . . . . 102
Charging System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Check Engine (Malfunction
Indicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Door Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning . . . . . . . 106
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 106
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Front Fog Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
High-Beam On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
High/Low Beam Changer . . . . . 120
Hood Ajar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Lane Departure Warning . . . . . . 104
Low Fuel Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Operate Pedal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Reduced Engine Power . . . . . . 107
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Service Vehicle Soon . . . . . . . . . 102
StabiliTrak OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Lights (cont'd)
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Traction Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Ultrasonic Parking Sensor . . . . 104
Warning, Power Steering . . . . . 103
Load Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Locks Automatic Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . 107
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH
System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
M
MaintenanceRecords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Maintenance and Care Additional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . 278